Beware: A Closer Look at Colorado’s Most Snake-Infested Rivers

As warmer weather returns to the Centennial State Colorado snakes are waking up. Did you know that our state is home to three of the most snake-infested rivers in America?

Read More: Beware: A Closer Look at Colorado's Most Snake-infested Lakes

Colorado is home to 29 different species of snakes that can be found in a variety of habitats. If you are fishing, rafting, kayaking, or hiking along a river bank, you will encounter a few snakes along these Colorado rivers.

Colorado's Arkansas River

The Arkansas River is a tributary of the Mississippi River that begins high in the Rocky Mountains with incredible rapids. This river extends 1,443 miles from Colorado to the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas and is Colorado's 3rd most snake-infested river. As the river descends through Canon City to Pueblo, it widens to a slow-moving waterway across the Colorado plains. Snakes can live along the roughest parts of the Arkansas River but favor the calmer waters in the eastern part of the state.

Snakes of the Arkansas River

Colorado's Arkansas River is home to various snakes including the Broad-banded water snake, Diamondback water snake, Midland water snake, Green water snake, and the Plain belly water snake.

The Colorado River

The Colorado River is the second most snake-infested river in our state. The Colorado is known as the hardest-working river in the West, covering 1,450 miles. As long as the river and lakes along it do not run dry, snakes can adapt well to low water levels during drought. Look for them along the shallow shady banks feeding on fish and rodents.

Snakes of the Colorado River

The snakes found along the Colorado River include Bullsnakes, Common garter snakes, Rattlesnakes, Great Basin gopher snakes, Great Plains rat snakes, Coachwhips, Kingsnakes, Ring-necked snakes, and Western hognose snakes.

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Colorado's Rio Grande River

The Rio Grande River begins high in the Colorado Mountains and runs 1,759 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The Rio Grande is Colorado's most snake-infested river, and thankfully, far more snakes live along the river as it travels through Texas. Here in Colorado, you'll want to watch for Prarie Rattlesnakes as they can live up and down the entire length of the Rio Grande River.

Read More: Exploring The Deadly Yet Fascinating Snakes Of Colorado

Snakes of the Rio Grande River

The further south one goes along the Rio Grande River, the more snakes you are bound to encounter such as the Black-striped snake, the Great plains rat snake, Schott’s whipsnake, Bullsnakes, Flat-headed snakes, Checkered garter snake, Western diamondback rattlesnakes, and Prairie or Great Plains rattlesnakes.