This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah is snake country, but that doesn't mean you have to be afraid. The only venomous snake along the Wasatch Front is the Great Basin rattlesnake. These shy serpents want nothing to do with us, and their bad reputation is undeserved. The snake that rattles at you when you're hiking isn't being aggressive or threatening, he's just letting you know he's there. This is for your benefit as well as his. You can return the favor by not bothering him.
Snakes are vital members of a healthy ecosystem. If you find a rattlesnake in your yard, have it relocated by a licensed professional. If you find a harmless snake in your yard, such as a garter snake or gopher snake, make him feel welcome. Once he eats the pests in your yard, he'll move on.
Be careful hiking or biking in the foothills or the canyons because snakes sometimes bask on trails. Keep an eye on your dogs, too. Better yet, enroll them in a rattlesnake avoidance training class. And remember that all of our snakes are protected by state law. Practice peaceful coexistence.
David E. Jensen, owner, Wasatch Snake Removal
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