Rattlesnakes of Wisconsin
The Turtles volunteers of Merrick State Park, Fountain City, WI, will present on July 11th “Rattlesnakes of Wisconsin” at 7:00 p.m. in the Nature Center. Timber rattlesnakes are found in southeast Minnesota and southwest Wisconsin, the northwest extent of their distributional range in the United States. This species was once relatively abundant in the portions of both states where it was historically found but is now relatively rare and requires active conservation and protection measures to ensure its continued existence. This presentation will provide information about similar snake species, the distribution of timber rattlesnakes in the United States as well as Minnesota and Wisconsin, timber rattlesnake natural history, and historic and contemporary threats. An important conservation effort will be highlighted, the Minnesota timber rattlesnake responder program, in which rattlesnake responders cooperate with local law enforcement agencies and the public to remove timber rattlesnakes from people’s home sites and properties and relocate them to nearby areas that are safe for people and safe for snakes.
Steve Winter is a relatively new transplant to the Upper Midwest, having spent most of his life in the Great Plains. He currently lives in Winona, Minnesota, but his previous time living in Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and California have blessed him with opportunities to see and learn about a multitude of different snakes, lizards, and reptiles. He remembers being interested in snakes starting as a small child when his sister kept a garter snake in a terrarium in the garage.
All programs are sponsored by the Friends of the State of Wisconsin State Parks and Merrick State Park Turtle volunteers. “Your” generous donations are always appreciated at each park program which enable us to help sponsor future programs. For all Saturday night program updates follow us on Merrick State Park’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/merrickturtles. ALL programs are FREE however a 2026 VEHICLE annual sticker or day pass is required. For your vehicle admission, it may be purchased 1) online, 2) at the first brown building as you enter, or 3) at the kiosk just past the first brown building.
