Wildlife officials said they are still searching for a South American rodent that was spotted at a Lakewood park earlier this month.
COLORADO, USA — Rattlesnakes don't have the best reputation. Researchers at California Polytechnic State University want to change that with aScientists set up aso people worldwide can watch the snakes' private lives 24/7. The rare"mega-den" has geologic features that allow the snakes to hide and shelter from the elements. The den is on private land in northern Colorado, and the location is undisclosed to protect the snakes.
Taylor said prairie rattlesnakes play an important role in Colorado's ecosystem. They eat rodents and are eaten by other predators, like birds of prey. Rodents often carry diseases like Lyme disease and the plague, and snakes help keep these diseases from getting out of control and spreading to people.
Taylor said the den is currently filled with pregnant female snakes. They're expected to have their pups in late August. She said the number of snakes in the den will pick up in September, when males and nonpregnant females return from hunting rodents. The camera will be turned off during the winter, then turned back on in the spring.
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