Tour of the Colorado Rattlesnake Mega Den

Показать описание

This video shows a panoramic scroll across the Colorado Rattlesnake den, from left to right, with the main areas labeled. There are rattlesnakes present in several parts of the den in this video, including newborn rattlesnakes.

First is the rocky, open area called the lower rocks. This area warms up fast, and the rattlesnakes usually use this area when the temperatures are lower. Next is the area among the oaks where snakes often rest during the heat of the day. Further to the right, between the oaks and the boulders, is the baby shelf, where younger snakes bask during the early spring and the fall.

Just up to the right of the baby shelf is the boulder pile, where snakes bask high up and rest in the crevices during heat of the day. The exposed portion at the left of the boulder pile (several adult snakes are there in the video) is the balcony. The rattlesnakes also crowd together in the boulder pile's two large crevices at night. The left crevice is called the Clown Car (pile of baby snakes at the entrance) and the right crevice (has and adult snake hanging out of it) is known as the Annex.

Finally, there is the area above the boulder pile, where snakes usually bask in the morning. The right side of the boulder pile, known as the highway, is where snakes usually climb up in the early morning to get above the boulder pile.