Although they’re feared by many, Utah snakes are vital to the enviornment
Jun 12, 2025, 6:38 PM
A rattlesnake shows signs of aggression. (Jack Spencer/U.S. Department of Agriculture)
(Jack Spencer/U.S. Department of Agriculture)
SALT LAKE CITY — Although many people regard Utah snakes as “gross” or “creepy,” the creatures play a vital role in the state’s ecosystems.
According to Utah State University, 31 species call Utah home. If you see one sunning itself on a rock or slithering to catch its next meal this summer, leave it alone and give it plenty of space.
Only seven are venomous, but every species is cold-blooded, meaning they maintain body heat from their environment. During the summer, they may be seen coiled up or napping. They use the sun’s heat to save energy.
Utah snakes help maintain ecological balance
According to USU, “garter snakes and gopher snakes are your backyard best friends.”
A gopher snake, sometimes also referred to as a bull snake, slithers near a fence. (Utah State University)
Although discovering one may be startling, avoid harming or killing it. They eat grasshoppers, worms and mice, helping keep populations in check in your garden and beyond.
While they can bite, garter and gopher snakes are not venomous or aggressive.
Jackson Elementary 4th graders look at a common Garter Snake while learning about some of the plants and animals affected by Utah’s watershed. (Keith Johnson/Deseret News)
Similarly, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said rattlesnakes mainly eat rodents, such as rats and ground squirrels. In the wild, that helps maintain balance in the food chain.
The World Wildlife Fund explained the food chain is a key element in the survival of the planet’s species. The excess or absence of one species can have a ripple effect across an entire ecosystem.
Although some view them as scary, snakes are often docile
USU explained that many Utah snakes, including rattlesnakes, are “mild-mannered.” Oftentimes, they will hide and avoid confrontation with humans. Unprovoked bites are rare.
Rattlesnakes have to be coiled up to strike, meaning that if they’re slithering along a path when you see them, they aren’t likely to bite. Leave plenty of room and go around the snake, but don’t step over it.
Additionally, be mindful of where you sit or walk outside. If you realize you are too close to a snake, calmly move away. Loud sounds or sudden sharp movements can startle a snake, triggering defensive and aggressive behavior, increasing the risk of being bitten.
If you’re into climbing, USU recommended extra caution. Snakes may be sunning themselves on ledges or cliffs.
“Rock climbers are particularly susceptible to accidental encounters,” wrote USU.
View, photograph from a distance
Snakes may be regarded as fascinating creatures. If you choose to observe or photograph them, USU advised doing so from a distance.
“Do not corner or trap it,” said USU. “This will encourage it to defend itself by biting.”
If you hear a snake’s rattle or observe it beginning to coil, back away and leave it alone.
More reading on Utah snakes: Taking your dog hiking this summer? Consider enrolling them in rattlesnake aversion training
