Rattlesnakes

Eastern Washington

During summer the hot, semi-desert country of Eastern Washington is great for viewing wildlife such as the occasional Western rattler. Though venomous, hawks and other predators prey on rattlesnakes. Thus, rattlesnakes prefer to flee and hide for their self-preservation rather than confront bigger animals such as people. For information on distribution in Washington, identification snakebite considerations, see information about Western rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnake viewing locations include Umtanum Creek, a tributary to the Yakima River, Northrup Canyon near Banks Lake, Fourth of July Creek trail in the Wenatchee National Forest near Leavenworth, and Saddle Mountain near Richland. It might take a few trips to see a single snake though. Late May through August are the best times to see rattlesnakes in these areas.

Gopher snakes look somewhat like rattlesnakes (see photo below) and inhabit the same habitats, but are not venomous. Gopher snakes are easily distinguished from rattlesnakes in that they have no rattle.

Western rattlesnake eyes

Rattlesnake backing away
Photo courtesy of Gerry Rome

Rattlesnake backing away rattling

Large rattlesnake rattle

Young Rattlesnake in the grass

Button rattle of a young rattlesnake

Rattlesnake preparing to swallow a mouse

Old barn rattler

Gopher snake - similar color and pattern, but not venomous

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