Nebraskaland

54 Nebraskaland • July 2026 Mixed Bag It's one of the most feared, and surely misunderstood, animals in Nebraska. The often-persecuted prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is one of four venomous snake species that call Nebraska home, and the only one in the western part of the state. The prominent reptile resides in areas of short grasses, rock outcroppings and shrublands, primarily on the Great Plains and eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In Nebraska, they inhabit the western two-thirds of the state and a few northeastern counties. In most circles, when these creatures enter the conversation, so will well-worn anti-serpent statements such as "the only good rattlesnake is a dead rattlesnake." Those who are well-informed take a more accepting approach to these creatures we'd never see if they could just slither away from us a little faster. Undoubtedly, they have even less desire to have an encounter with people than humans want to have with them. Thankfully for people, this snake, which can grow to 5 ½ feet long, was gifted with a tool for letting us know it's near, and it will usually do its best to give a person fair warning. True to its name, the rattlesnake has a segmented rattle at its tail. It adds a new chamber to the hollow keratin rattle each time it sheds its skin, which happens about twice per year. The rattles often break, however, so it's not an accurate way to determine age. The cold-blooded creatures are most active in warm weather and gather with other snakes in hibernacula during winter. They can't dig and must take advantage of holes and cavities existing on the landscape. During this period of brumation, they don't sleep but rather just become lethargic. Now, to address the rattlesnake feature that people fear most. Rattlesnake bites are placed in two categories: defensive and predatory. The rattlesnake is a pit viper, meaning it has a heat- sensing organ on each side of its triangular-shaped head between the eyes and nostrils. This capability makes them proficient ambush predators. Their diet consists mostly of creatures such as mice, ground squirrels, juvenile prairie dogs and ground- nesting birds which are swallowed whole after being incapacitated by venom. Snakes are smart enough to know humans are too big to swallow, and most bites to humans and other large mammals occur when the snake feels trapped and perceives danger. In these situations, it coils up to protect itself and strike if need be. Prairie rattlers don't chase. If people hear one, they can usually locate it and walk around and away from it. It's believed that rattlesnakes often produce little, if any, venom in defensive bites, saving it for when the need to actually kill something for food arises. Reportedly, at least 25 percent of bites to humans are "dry" with no venom, and only 1 in 600 bites are fatal. That's not to say a rattlesnake bite is a pleasant experience, especially those producing venom. Venom damages tissue and, depending on the person, the bite can lead to death in two to three days, or even less, if left untreated. Many myths and tales about what to do in the rare case of a rattlesnake bite exist, so people who spend time where the snakes do would be wise to study up. The most important thing to do is move away from the snake, stay calm and get to a doctor as soon as possible, even if that means calling an ambulance. As with most wildlife encounters, one with a rattlesnake will end peacefully if it is given space. Prairie Rattlesnakes By Justin Haag

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