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Colorado Rattlesnake ‘Mega-Den’ Is a Livestream You Can’t Miss

Colorado Rattlesnake ‘Mega-Den’ Is a Livestream You Can’t Miss

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A rattlesnake den on the prairie in northern Colorado, better known as a “mega den,” is causing quite a stir.

According to researchers at USA Today, the den on undisclosed private property is home to about 2,000 rattlesnakes.

However squeamish you may be, you can now get a rare glimpse of this much-maligned venomous reptile thanks to a livestream of the writhing snakes on Project Rattle Cam, which recently went live.

“This livestream allows us to collect data on wild rattlesnakes without disturbing them, allowing for unbiased scientific discovery,” Emily Taylor, project leader and professor of biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, said in a press release. “More importantly, it allows the public to see wild rattlesnakes behaving as they naturally do, helping to combat the biased images we see on television of rattling, defensive, and stressed snakes interacting with people who provoke them.”

The geological features of the den among the rocks and boulders provide the snakes with plenty of hiding places and refuge, the press release said.

Colorado Rattlesnake Hunter: ‘I just have a love and passion for snakes’

The livestream allows the public to watch pregnant rattlesnakes sunbathe, interact with each other and ultimately care for their young, which is what the young that are born alive are called.

“Viewers will have a good look and witness rare events such as predators visiting the den and attempting to attack the rattlesnakes, and the mass appearance of thirsty snakes to drink raindrops collected on their coiled bodies,” the press release said. The best times to watch are in the morning and evening.

The solar-powered camera system for the live video feed was designed and installed by faculty and engineers from Cal Poly’s Bailey College of Science and Mathematics and was funded largely by donations, the press release said.

More: Colorado is home to approximately 30 species of snakes, including 3 venomous ones

The release described Project RattleCam as “a community science project in which the public helps scientists study rattlesnakes.” It also has a livestream from a small den in California. That livestream has been active during warmer months for the past three years and resumed on July 11 of this year, the release said.

USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider contributed to this report.