It is not usually aggressive, and will try to escape if possible. Studies which observed rattlesnakes avoiding upland agriculture were likely dealing predominantly with short-distance migrants. Montana Field Guide. How do highways influence snake movement? Source: Musser (2007). undated. Molecular Ecology 19: 5157–5171. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, Edmonton, AB. Females give birth to 4 to 21 young in late summer; the young are marked similarly to adults, but colors are brighter. For example, cumulative landscape fragmentation, and associated degradation, was found to be increasing due to continued oil and gas development in southwestern Saskatchewan (Swift Current Webb Community Pasture: Nasen et al. A similar phenomenon has been described for Massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus) in Ontario, where an entire ‘migration cohort’ was eliminated following the construction and use of a new road, and only snakes that naturally dispersed away from the road survived (Rouse et al. Grasslands National Park: Prairie Notes. M.Sc. The result is that the native grasslands of Alberta and Saskatchewan have been reduced by ~ 66 % of their original extent (Riley et al. 1993. 103. NatureServe. 104 pp. Probability of extinction in the wild is at least [20% within 20 years or 5 generations, or 10% within 100 years]. Prairie Rattlesnakes require hibernacula, foraging habitat, gestation sites, and movement corridors between these habitats. 2013. Updated . Colouration makes rattlesnakes hard to see and avoid on gravel or dirt roads (Martinson pers. The bison, a relative of cattle, is native to the North American prairie. Home range size and range length estimates for Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) in Canada based on field studies. As a result, the Prairie Rattlesnake is experiencing a continuing decline in Canada. Also, the Prairie Rattlesnake is not listed under Appendix I, II or III of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES 2013). ), Winterfat (Krasheninnikovia lanata), Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), Wolfwillow (Elaeagnus commutata), Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) (Gardiner 2012). The prairie rattlesnake hunts by striking rapidly at its prey and immobilizing them with the poisonous venom in its fangs. COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Jonathan Choquette and Adam Martinson for writing the status report on the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) in Canada. Loma Linda University Press, Loma Linda, California. 2003. Gushulak, N., pers. Weyer, J., D. Jørgensen, T. Schmitt, T. J. Maxwell and C. D. Anderson. M.E.Des dissertation, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. 2011). The prairie rattlesnake can be found in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta. For example, a proposal to double the number of shallow gas wells within the Suffield National Wildlife Area was denied in November 2012 by the federal Minister of the Environment (CEAA 2013). comm. Gestation sites (i.e., rookeries) provide optimum thermoregulatory conditions for embryonic development and cover from predation. Nernberg, D., pers. Hibernacula are generally associated with south-, southeast- or east-facing slopes with inclines less than 30° and consist of holes or cracks in the earth caused by, or associated with, a variety of biological and physical phenomena (e.g., slumping topography, erosion, remnant water channels, loose soil, sinkholes, rocky outcrops, fissures and small mammal burrows) which allow access to a suitable subterranean environment (Gannon and Secoy 1984; Nicholson and Rose 2001; Fast 2003; Poulin and Didiuk 2008; Andrus 2010; AESRD and ACA 2012; Martinson and Wielki 2012; Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment 2013a). Yearly variation in adult population size at any given location is probably minimal under natural conditions, therefore, substantial variation in abundance over a short time period is likely caused by human activity. For example, mean maximum migration distances from a den in an agricultural area near Medicine Hat (i.e., 2.2 ± 1.5 km, n = 14) were generally shorter than migration distances from a den in native prairie (i.e., 3.8 ± 2.7 km, n = 10) (Jørgensen et al. It is not usually aggressive, and will try to escape if possible. They also prefer short-grass prairie and dry, open scrubland. Canadian Field Naturalist 115(2): 241-246. 2013a. Didiuk, A. Synonyms for prairie rattler in Free Thesaurus. 2012. The RCGS acknowledges that its offices are located on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Peoples, who have been guardians of, and in relationship with, these lands for thousands of years. In southeastern Alberta, the number of shallow gas wells drilled annually peaked in 2005 and subsequently decreased considerably (Tertzakian and Baynton 2011). comm. 2002; Juckett and Hancox 2002). 2014). Agricultural activity is pervasive within the Canadian range of the Prairie Rattlesnake. The amphibians and reptiles of Alberta. Moynahan, C.L. Although a 30 km buffer was used here, a 15 km buffer would be more appropriate for assessing disjunctions within the rest of the Canadian range (see Canadian Range). Montana Field Guide, NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life, The Saskatchewan Wildlife Habitat Protection Act, Effects of Climate Change on Grasslands (PDF; 720 KB), Endangered Species: Find Endangered Species. The act also prohibits unregulated disturbance or destruction of the den, house, nest, dam, or usual place of habitation of wildlife, which includes Prairie Rattlesnake hibernacula. 2012; Gardiner 2012); however, mortality risk increases with increasing traffic volume. A Prairie Rattlesnake location is defined as a hibernaculum/den (or a hibernaculum complex, see Habitat Requirements) because this species is heavily dependent on these structures, and their destruction (whether natural or anthropogenic) can be detrimental to all individuals using them (see Threats and Limiting Factors). 2008). A. Campbell, K. de Quieroz, D. R. Frost, D. M. Green, R. Highton, J. Extremely high fidelity to migration routes and hibernacula suggest that a very low proportion of a population is available in any given year to colonize new hibernacula and thus contribute to the establishment of new colonies. Therefore, the snakes along the Frenchman River are not considered ‘discrete’ from the rest of the Canadian population. In the United States, its range extends from Idaho and Montana to western Iowa to northern Mexico. Roads pose a threat to Prairie Rattlesnakes predominantly through direct mortality, which has been empirically (Martinson 2009b) and anecdotally (Gushulak pers. COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis in Canada (2015-11-20)The Prairie Rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied pit viper. Annual Report Vol. (1996) estimated abundance of Prairie Rattlesnakes along the Frenchman River (Grasslands National Park) based on intensive population estimates at two of the largest dens as well as less intensive monitoring of 10 additional dens (methods unknown). Noticeable natural changes in population size or composition would be expected to occur very gradually given such a survivorship pattern. Canadian Journal of Zoology. Assuming the sample of hibernacula studied are representative of all Canadian locations, and that rattlesnakes are extirpated from the four inactive locations, there has been a ~ 30% decline in the number of Prairie Rattlesnake locations in Canada from the 1950s to the 1990s (i.e.,40 years/three generations). Highway upgrades and expansions continue to be proposed within Prairie Rattlesnake range, potentially increasing road mortality and fragmentation. The size of a hibernaculum varies considerably and multiple entrance holes may be considered part of a single ‘complex’. It is unclear whether geographically isolated snakes along the Frenchman River in southern Saskatchewan remain demographically and genetically connected to those along the Milk River in southern Alberta via exchange with populations in Montana (e.g., Greater Sage-grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus: Bush et al. Thorpe, J. Over the past 15 years, there has been an estimated 175% (161% – 220%) increase in the number of known locations. 2013) have been proposed as possible threats. The Prairie Rattlesnake is one of three extant rattlesnake species in Canada and has been the subject of numerous scientific investigations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The prairie rattlesnake is typically found in prairie and grassland habitats. Prairie Rattlesnakes display behavioural polymorphism with regards to migration distance. Gauthier, D. A., A. Lafon, T. P. Toombs, J. Hoth and E. Wiken. Restoration of foothills rough fescue grassland following pipeline disturbance in southwestern Alberta. data). In 1978, COSEWIC designated its first species and produced its first list of Canadian species at risk. Email correspondence to J. Choquette. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, 30 pp. 2014. Population structure of the Prairie Rattlesnake in Canada remains largely unknown (Jørgensen pers. Locations appear to be stable under natural conditions over the timeframe of our assessment (three to six generations; see Population Sizes and Trends). Nicholson and Rose (2001) identified hibernacula in close proximity to oil and gas well access roads and noted road mortality of Prairie Rattlesnakes. Figure 9. Long-distance, fixed bearing migrations to and from hibernacula are typical of communal denning Prairie Rattlesnakes (Jørgensen et al. The total number of current locations in Canada is obtained by addition estimates for both provinces: 227 (209 – 286). Herpetofauna observed during the Royal Saskatchewan Museum bioblitz of southwest Saskatchewan. Environmental effects of oil and gas lease sites in a grassland ecosystem. Naugle, C. A. Paszkowski and D. W. Coltman. M.E.Des dissertation, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. Russell, A. P. and A. M. Bauer. His career is dedicated to the restoration and recovery of Canadian herpetofauna. [accessed Dec. 2013]. The flat, triangular-shaped head hides a pair of the retractable fangs. Ernst, R. D. and R. W. Quinlan. 2013. Despite the discovery of previously undocumented dens, there is a recent and projected continuing decline of ~ 30% in the number of Prairie Rattlesnake locations in Canada. Note that the actual rate of habitat loss could be slightly higher due to unaccounted losses from oil and gas drilling, urbanization and road construction (see Threats and Limiting Factors). The species may also inhabit a variety of other habitats, ranging from woods and forests to croplands and brush. For an explanation of Conservation Data Centre Ranks, please check the CDC’s website. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 8(1): 240 - 250. 2007). Rattlesnakes (along with copperheads and cottonmouths) are members of the Pit Viper family. In Canada, Prairie Rattlesnakes are active for approximately 4 months of the year, from mid-May to late September (Jørgensen et al. A test of the hierarchical model of habitat selection using Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus c. catenatus). Prairies Ecozone. No effort was made to count specific locations to determine the number of locations impacted by each threat. Prairie Rattlesnake generation time (the average age of parents of the current cohort) is 13 - 14 years. Reduction in the areas where snakes have been extirpated from historical hibernacula (see below; Kissner and Nicholson 2003). 2013; Table 1) and in Wyoming (Jorgenson 2009; NatureServe 2013). In Saskatchewan, targeted search effort has been concentrated along the South Saskatchewan River (from the Alberta border to the Leader region), along the Frenchman River (GNP West Block, Val Marie), and within the East Block of the GNP (Macartney and Weichel 1993; Kissner, Secoy et al. 1996). Venomous snakebites in the United States: Management review and update. 14 pp. Biological Conservation 89(1): 39-50. Examples of these projects include the Medicine Hat bypass linking Highway 1 and Highway 3, the Lethbridge bypass linking Highway 3 and Highway 4, and Highway 41 widening and expansion (AESRD and ACA 2012). 2012. 2013). Ecology and conservation of Prairie Rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis viridis) in relation to movement in a fragmented urban environment. Unpublished data. Alberta Parks and Protected Areas (including Crown Reservations) (PDF; 3.87 MB). Critical Habitat. Martinson, A. [Projected or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total number of mature individuals over the next [10 years, or 3 generations]. Harvey, D. S. and P. J. Weatherhead. Oil and gas exploration and development is extensive throughout. None of these “extra-limital” observations were included in Pendlebury’s (1977) range estimate, as they were at least 19 years old and quite distant from known sites at the time. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation (ATPR). They have a light-brown rattle at the … Demographic effects of road mortality in black ratsnakes (Elaphe obsolete). (2014) found little evidence for genetic differentiation between Prairie Rattlesnakes separated by both the City of Medicine Hat and the Trans-Canada Highway (8,535 – 30,291 vehicles per day; Alberta Transportation 2011). This noise is intended to make predators aware of its presence. ), Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus), American Badgers, Coyotes (Canis latrans) and Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) (Jørgensen 2009; Gardiner 2012; Didiuk pers. 2013. 76. In Alberta, irrigation measures for potato production are likely to be implemented west of Medicine Hat, so the overall scope of this threat in Alberta is small. 1998. The Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus) is a species of rattlesnake native to North America, from Southwestern Canada to Northern Mexico. 2013. 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