Rattlesnakes have been found on campus recently and are common in the coulees.
On Thursday, Aug. 4, Reg Ernst, a wildlife biologist under contract to the City of Lethbridge, will be on campus to talk to employees and interested members of the public about what you should -- and shouldn't -- do if you encounter a rattlesnake.
Ernst is the person Campus Security calls to locate and safely remove rattlesnakes found on campus and is a noted expert on the species. His contact information is (403) 359-1041 cell / e-mail: regde@shaw.ca
Ernst's talk would be of interest to anyone who spends time in the coulees.
DATE: Thursday, Aug 4, 2011
TIME: 11 a.m. to 12 noon
LOCATION: Room AH117, Anderson Hall
Additional Information:
Lethbridge is home to a small and likely dwindling population of prairie rattlesnakes, restricted mainly to southwest Lethbridge.
Please exercise caution when walking around campus, particularly in the coulees, as snakes are occasionally sighted.
Rattlesnakes are not aggressive and given a choice will retreat rather than strike.
Rattlesnakes are a naturally occurring species in a properly functioning prairie ecosystem such as we have around Lethbridge.
They are practically harmless and will only strike if extremely provoked or stepped on.
They play a very important role in the control of rodents and thus reduce the spread of diseases such as hanta virus.
Rattlesnakes are the color of dry prairie grass and have a very well-defined, triangular-shaped head. They may or may not possess rattles.
Lethbridge is also home to the bull snake which imitates the rattlesnake by coiling up and shaking its tail, but it does not actually have a rattle. Bull snakes are not poisonous.
If you see a rattlesnake, walk slowly away from it. Give the snake plenty of room to escape from you. Notify Campus Security at (403) 329-2345. They will have a specialist relocate the snake to a natural habitat.
In Alberta, rattlesnakes are 'blue-listed' which means they have undergone declines in population or habitat and may be at risk.
Please remember, it is illegal to kill rattlesnakes, possess rattlesnakes or their parts or damage occupied den areas. Many people do not realize that there are significant charges and fines for killing a rattlesnake in Alberta.
NOTE: IF POSSIBLE, ERNST WILL HAVE A LIVE RATTLESNAKE, PROPERLY HANDLED AND CAGED, AVAILABLE SO PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.
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