Snakes

Utah has many species and subspecies of snakes, several of them venomous. Most venomous snakes in Utah have rattles on their tails.

Snakes eat mainly rodents, birds and other reptiles. They hibernate in winter under rocks and in burrows, and in summer are most active at dawn and dusk. Wild Aware Utah says snakes are classed as nongame animals protected by state law.

If you can't tell from a distance whether a snake is venomous, leave it alone and treat it as if it were. Most bites happen when people try to handle or kill a snake. Watch where you step and sit on trails, and if you hear a rattle, find where it's coming from before you move. Anyone bitten should get medical care immediately.