A new addition to the northern Colorado rattlesnake den complex, known as a “mega-den,” includes baby rattlesnakes being born, creating excitement among researchers at California Polytechnic State University. The Project RattleCam livestream feed allows viewers to watch the baby snakes basking with their mothers in a communal birthing area before entering winter hibernation. One rattlesnake named Thea was spotted babysitting other baby snakes in the den, showcasing a unique behavior observed by researchers.
The first baby rattlesnakes were seen in August 2022, with more expected to be born as pregnant females continue to give birth. While the total number of snakes in the den is unknown, each female typically gives birth to around 8 pups, suggesting a significant number of baby snakes will be born this year.
To view the baby rattlesnakes on the RattleCam, viewers can visit the Cal Poly Project RattleCam web page, which includes links to YouTube feeds for live chat discussions about the snakes. The RattleCam was installed in Colorado in May 2024 as part of an educational initiative to teach people about snakes and reduce fear of them.
The Project RattleCam site features information on the Colorado snakes, video highlights including night vision clips, and updates on the snake population in the den. By following Mike Snider on social media, viewers can stay informed about the latest news and trends related to the rattlesnake den complex in Colorado.
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