Overview
There are often reports regarding rattlesnakes in Superior. Unfortunately the rattlesnake is inherent to this region. However, rattlesnakes are not intrinsically aggressive. They bite to defend themselves when feeling threatened. If you see a rattlesnake, keep your distance. Remember that they are cold-blooded (exothermic) and seek sunny warm places in the mornings and evenings. They seek shelter in creviced rocks and will even use prairie dog burrows to hide in. Hiking only on designated trails reduces your risk of meeting a rattlesnake.

If you sustain a bite, stay calm. Keep the bitten area below your heart and have someone get you help rather than walking. Try to keep your pulse and circulation down, slowing the venom's movement to your heart. If rescue is not far away, sit tight. Let them come get you. If you are out in the back country, there are a few more things you can do. Wash the bite with soap and water, because infection is a high risk complicating factor to snake bites. DO NOT cut the bite area or use your mouth to try to extract the venom. That adds greatly to the infection potential. Get to help as soon as possible.

Colorado Snakes Video
If you're interested in learning about the various types of snakes in Colorado watch this informative video at the link below produced by Superior's wildlife ecologist Ashley DeLaup.

Colorado Snakes Video