Surge In Human-Snake Encounters Causes Urgent Warnings

Rattlesnakes are Very Acvite This Year

If you have plans to travel down to Western South Dakota this summer, you might want to watch where you step. According to KOTA TV, several South Dakota officials, including the Rapid City Fire Department and Pennington County authorities, have issued urgent warnings regarding a surge in human-snake encounters, which includes emergency bite calls in western regions of South Dakota.

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If you have vacation plans in the Black Hills, you are advised to be aware of potential prairie rattlesnake habitat and stay vigilant.

Similiar Reports in North Dakota

I was speaking with one of our listeners who fishes Fish Creek Dam often, and he told me he has witnessed rattlesnake activity just about every trip he's taken. He even told me about a swimming serpent who tried to board a boat, and the scared $hitless fisherman had to bust out an oar to keep the snake at bay. YIKES. I'm familiar with this scenario as I've had friends who have had similar situations on the Missouri River, Lake Oahe, and Lake Sakakawea before. Talk about absolutely terrifying.

The Reason for the Spike in Serpents

Officials have attributed the increase in prairie rattlesnake activity to the unusually cool spring and summer we have had so far. This actually surprised me, I would've thought it was the other way around (snakes would be more active in hot weather). According to the article, the cool temps have caused rattlesnakes to remain active during morning and daytime hours, overlapping with peak outdoor recreation time.

Once again, if you have vacation plans, especially in the Black Hills this summer, be aware of the snake danger, and the same goes for rattlesnake country in North Dakota.