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The Daily Insight

How do you find a rattlesnake den

Author

Natalie Ross

Published Feb 26, 2026

Where do rattlesnakes like to nest?

Where and how snakes den also varies by species. Tiger rattlesnake dens are in rocky outcrops, so they go into the breaks and crevices of rocks—about 2 to 4 feet down—and you don’t see them again until spring. The Western diamondback typically dens on rocky slopes or in small caves that form on the sides of washes.

What does a rattlesnake burrow look like?

This looks like a flattened strip of sand/dirt that’s “raised” on the edges These edges are raised because as the snake crawls into/out of the hole, dirt and sand are pushed aside.

Do rattlesnakes stay in the same area?

Rattlesnakes often return to the same dens; some come back every year, while others stay only until food sources start to slack off before looking for a new den in a different area. More than one snake might use the same den; they might not coil up together to sleep, but just share the space.

Where do rattlesnakes usually hide?

Rattlesnakes like to hide in brush, bushes, rocks, wood piles, tool sheds, pool pump houses and pretty much any other place they can get into.

How far will a rattlesnake travel from its den?

Rattlesnakes can be found across North and South America, most often in rocky regions or near grasslands. During their active months, they can journey as far as 1.6 miles from their dens to their favorite hunting and basking areas.

What do you do if you find a baby rattlesnake in your yard?

What to do in the event of a snake bite
  1. Stay calm but act quickly.
  2. Remove watches, rings, etc., which may constrict swelling.
  3. Transport the victim to the nearest medical facility.
  4. For more first aid information, please call the California Poison Control System at (800) 222-1222.

What time of day are rattlesnakes most active?

morning While they can be out any time, rattlesnakes are most active in the morning and from dusk into the night. They hunt mice and rodents in darkness because they can sense body heat with special organs on their face.

Do rattlesnakes burrow in the ground?

Rattlesnakes are flexible; they will use whatever hiding spaces are available; rattlesnakes most commonly use burrows, dense vegetation, rock piles and human debris as retreat sites.

Can rattlesnakes dig holes?

As snakes are not capable of digging holes, it is common for rattlesnakes to make dens out of vacant rodent burrows. Snakes typically seek out locations on high hillsides with plenty of sun exposure. Rattlesnakes can spend the winter under logs and piles of wood or rock as well.

Do rattlesnakes chase you?

While dangerous, rattlesnakes (and most snakes in general) are not aggressive and won’t chase you. They only strike when they’re threatened or accidentally touched by someone who can’t see them while walking or climbing.

Can you outrun a rattlesnake?

Rattlesnake speeds have not been specifically measured, but they likely travel at about 2 to 3 miles per hour in very short bursts. In comparison, the fastest humans can run up to 28 miles per hour. The average human could easily outrun a rattlesnake.

What smells keep rattlesnakes away?

Clove & Cinnamon Oil: Clove and cinnamon oil are effective snake repellents. … Ammonia: Snakes dislike the odor of ammonia so one option is to spray it around any affected areas. Another option is to soak a rug in ammonia and place it in an unsealed bag near any areas inhabited by snakes to deter them away.

How long do you have after being bitten by a rattlesnake?

You’ll begin to see symptoms immediately, but your symptoms will worsen over time. Ideally, you’ll reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of 2 or 3 days and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.

How do you keep rattlesnakes away?

Use a snake repellent such as Snake Out around your yard and perimeter to ward off Rattlesnakes and deter them from the area. You could also try to use a Solutions Human Live Trap with live or deceased rodents to use as bait.

Are baby rattlesnakes born with rattles?

Baby rattlesnakes are born with a single rattle segment. That’s cute, but it won’t make a sound until its second shed skin, several weeks after it is born. It may try and rattle anyway, but you won’t hear it.

What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake?

Stay calm • Call Dispatch via radio or 911 • Wash the bite area gently with soap and water if available • Remove watches, rings, etc., which may constrict swelling • Immobilize the affected area • Keep the bite below the heart if possible • Transport safely to the nearest medical facility immediately.

Why don’t you put ice on a snake bite?

Ice: Do not use ice for snakebites! Ice causes the smaller blood vessels to constrict and when combined with viper venoms it can produce dramatic tissue damage. Again, better to let the swelling happen and focus on getting to a hospital.

What time of year are baby rattlesnakes born?

Birthing season is in the late summer into early fall (August – October). If you encounter a tiny rattlesnake on the order of 4 – 7″ long late in the summer or in the fall, the answer could be yes.

How many babies does a rattlesnake have at a time?

Rattlesnake eggs will stay inside their mother until they hatch. Most of the time there are 8-10 babies born at once and are about 10 inches long. Babies are born venomous but cannot rattle and are often more aggressive than the adults.

How do you draw a rattlesnake easy?

Do baby rattlesnakes stay with their mom?

At birth, baby rattlesnakes are approximately 10 inches in length. They remain close to their mother for the first week or 10 days of their lives which is different from many other reptiles. Baby rattlesnakes have a low chance of survival due to predators, harsh weather conditions, and starvation.