DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah - Biologists at Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) support testing by setting their sights on the slithering species moving through the desert. Their aim is to protect local wildlife as well as people so that testing can be as effective as possible.
Our ability to support testing and training is augmented by having knowledge of wildlife on the landscape. Populations of the great basin rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus) are currently in peril due to development, poaching and climate change. Rattlesnakes are essential predators in arid ecosystems responsible for ~80% of rodent population control. Their presence keeps rodent populations from exceeding natural levels, thus preventing spread of zoonotic diseases affiliated with rodents and maintaining ecosystem balance.
Rattlesnakes pose a potential health risk to DPG residents, the workforce, and soldiers and tenants during testing and training activities, as they are venomous and their bite is potentially deadly. Though, rattlesnakes rarely bite people unless provoked or threatened; most reported snake bites occur from people handling or harassing them. Because of their potent venom and tendency to venture near developed areas, their presence is considered a nuisance to people rather than a serious threat.
Because of the relatively low but severe risk of envenomation and potential loss of an ecologically important and sensitive species, the DPG Natural Resource Office developed objectives to: (1) reduce human to snake interactions for the safety of soldiers and civilians, and (2) protect permanent snake den sites where snakes hibernate through the winter season.
Wildlife Biologist Robert Delph is conducting a joint study on rattlesnakes with Hill Air Force Base and Camp Williams to understand rattlesnake movement patterns and detect rattlesnake den sites. He is capturing nuisance snakes that are reported near high human traffic areas and tracking their movement patterns using radio telemetry. Radio transmitters are surgically implanted into the snake, which is then released and tracked twice a week using a VHF radio receiver. New den sites are discovered when the snake migrates back to its den during the fall between September to October.
Documentation of rattlesnake territory range from these den sites is necessary for the management of rattlesnakes and the control of potential nuisance snakes near military testing and training areas. Knowledge of territory ranges and specific migration routes will ensure the survival of this species and help to create deterrents for nuisance snakes away from residential and other high human traffic areas, thus facilitating the military mission in protecting the war fighter during testing and training activities.
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