Hikers beware as rattlesnake season returns to the Black Hills

RAPID CITY, S.D. — With summer in full swing, many hikers will be out and about in the Black Hills. But as temperatures warm up, so does snake activity.

South Dakota has several snake species, but only one is venomous – the prairie rattlesnake. While many people will go their whole lives without seeing one, they are common in the Black Hills, and encounters become more likely as people head outdoors.

“Rattlesnakes have a tendency to like the same temperatures and same environment as we do, so if it’s too hot for us to be sitting out in the sun, it’s too hot for the snakes to be sitting out in the sun,” said Terry Phillip, General Curator at Reptile Gardens, “As summer kind of rolls in, they become a little bit like what we call as crepuscular. So, they’re active in the early mornings and late evenings, and eventually as the summer really rolls in, they become a little bit more nocturnal.”

The prairie rattlesnake inhabits grassy, rocky, and wooded many areas west of the Missouri River. Experts say they can be found everywhere from hiking trails to city neighborhoods. According to a South Dakota Department of Health study, most venomous bites occur in the summer months of June, July, and August.

While bites from prairie rattlesnakes are rarely fatal to humans, they require immediate medical attention. Experts say if you are bitten, you should remain calm and remove anything that can restrict blood flow, as the venom will cause significant swelling. The only cure for a venomous snakebite is antivenom, so getting to a hospital as quickly as possible is essential. Monument Health has antivenom vials for Prairie Rattlesnakes at many west river locations, and while treatment can be costly, it’s the only way to stop the effects of snake venom.

Per grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from South Dakota Mines. He found his passion for weather reporting by the impact it has on the community, both in how people work and how it brings people together through severe weather preparation. He also has a passion for preventing health issues with Air Quality Index awareness. Per can be found enjoying outdoor activities in the Black Hills when the weather allows.