Prairie Conservation Action Plan partnership of stakeholder groups, including ranchers, NGO's & Gov't agencies dedicated to prairie conservation.
Joined September 2013
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The Prairie Rattlesnake is a symbol of grasslands conservation. Thank you for learning about a misunderstood species in an undervalued ecosystem – the prairie rattlesnake is fighting an uphill battle!
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Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Andrew Dubois
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Rattlesnakes use the warm road surface to thermoregulate. Their cryptic colouration makes it difficult for drivers to see them. Their classic defensive behaviour (curl up & rattle) means they are more likely to be struck. #SARSweetTweet Image: FlickrCreativeCommons/ Andrew Dubois
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The more the merrier! Prairie Rattlesnakes will spend their winter in a subterranean den or hibernaculum. They are known to den communally (and often in large numbers) with other species – the Plains Garter Snake, Yellow-bellied Racer & Bullsnakes!
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Have you ever seen a Prairie Rattlesnake in the wild? The best place to look for them is Grasslands National Park on the Eagle Butte or 70Mile Butte Trails.
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DYK: Prairie Rattlesnakes can live for 13-14 years in the wild!
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Only 3% of the global Prairie Rattlesnake population exists in Canda. There are about 230 known locations (hibernacula) of Prairie Rattlesnakes in Canada. Recent research has found more den sites.
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Believe it or not but the Prairie Rattlesnake may fall prey to a variety of predators! Coyotes, badgers, foxes, hawks, eagles & even Great-horned Owls may grab a snake snack!
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Prairie Rattlesnakes need to be able to retreat from danger or heat quickly. They are almost always found within 1m from a burrow or bush where they can hide. Sagebrush, wolf willow, juniper, greesewood and snowberry shrubs are important for this critter.
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Prairie Rattlesnakes need a home range of 4-109ha (or 8-250 acres). With such a large habitat need, the largest threats to this species is habitat loss – intensive agriculture, urbanization, oil&gas drilling, & road networks. This species loses 3-18% of its habitat every year.
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The Prairie Rattlesnake is considered to be “Ovoviviparious” this means that they don’t lay eggs but they keep the eggs inside them & then give birth to about 11young in the Fall.
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In Canada, there have only been a handful of Prairie Rattlesnake bites & NO fatalities. Most bites are easy to avoid – don’t try to pick up a snake, or stick your hand in a burrow. Take precautions near loud machinery or when wearing headphones in areas where rattlesnakes exist.
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The Prairie Rattlesnake is protected by the Saskatchewan Wildlife Act and the Alberta Wildlife Act. This means that possessing a Prairie Rattlesnake, harming a snake or destroying their habitat is illegal.
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Image: FlickrCreativeCommons/ Andrew Dubois
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In Canada, researchers have estimated that the Prairie Rattlesnake population is about 22,300 individuals, which about 15,000 are adults. Unfortunately, the population is continuing to decline every year.
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Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Andrew Dubois
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It is estimated that the Prairie Rattlesnake has been part of the native prairie ecosystem since the glaciers retreated about 11,000 years ago.
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The Prairie Rattlesnake has many threats – habitat loss, climate change, oil and gas, human persecution, etc. However, of all the threats, road mortality has the greatest impact on this species.
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A rookery is like a nursery for Prairie Rattlesnakes! The gravid (or expecting) females and their young (neonates) will find a partially vegetated site with sun exposure and in close proximity to refugia (animal burrows, rock outcrops or wood piles).
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DYK: Prairie Rattlesnakes can swim! They have been observed to be crossing the Oldman, South Saskatchewan and Frenchman Rivers on rare occasions.
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To survive the harsh prairie winters, Prairie Rattlesnakes need access to a subterranean environment. These den sites or hibernacula are usually on south- or east-facing slopes of major river drainages or valleys. #SARSweetTweet
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In Canada, researchers have estimated that the Prairie Rattlesnake population is about 22,300 individuals, which about 15,000 are adults. Unfortunately, the population is continuing to decline every year.
#SARSweetTweet #grasslands
Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Andrew Dubois
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What is the best thing to do if, in the very unlikely situation you are bit by a Prairie Rattlesnake? See medical attention immediately. With anti-venom, a bite is rarely fatal.
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Image: poisoncontrol.utah.edu/news/…
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