Shy, not scary- Alberta rattlesnakes

By Lethbridge Herald on January 27, 2026.

HERALD PHOTO BY JOE MANIO With the visual aid of a mounted specimen, Snakes on a Plain founder Sheri Monk gave a presentation called "Fear and loathing in Alberta - how do we overcome it to save the Prairie Rattlesnake?" Thursday at the weekly Southern Alberta Council on Public Affaris (SACPA) meeting.

By Joe Manio

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Lethbridge Herald

Many Albertans instinctively shrink at the sight of a rattlesnake. But the Western rattlesnake, Alberta’s only venomous snake, is more likely to flee than fight, according to Sheri Monk, founder of the conservation group Snakes on a Plain. 

“What we really need to know is when does fear become hate, because that’s when fear becomes destructive,” she said during a session hosted by the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) Thursday. “It does not have to be destructive but once we cultivate it into hate we grow problems.”

The SACPA session, titled “Fear and Loathing in Alberta – how do we overcome it to save the Prairie Rattlesnake?”, focused on combating the persecution of this threatened species by addressing myths and promoting conservation with empathy. 

Monk urged attendees to reconsider fear-driven reactions that can escalate into outright hatred. “It’s not just fear—it’s when fear becomes hate that snakes really get in trouble,” she said.

The presentation highlighted little-known facts that might surprise even seasoned nature lovers. Prairie rattlesnakes can live 20 years or more, survive Alberta’s harsh winters by hibernating underground, and primarily eat rodents keeping pest populations in check. 

Unlike Hollywood portrayals, they don’t hunt humans or attack them without provocation. Monk also pointed out that rattlesnakes serve as prey for hawks, coyotes, and other wildlife, making them integral to the ecosystem.

Monk emphasized the broader role rattlesnakes play in maintaining ecological balance. Without them, rodents multiply, affecting crops, native plants, and other wildlife. Public perception often boils down to a simple question: what have rattlesnakes ever done for me? 

Educating people on their ecological value is key to reversing misconceptions and fostering coexistence. During her presentation, Monk dispelled some of these myths and gave little-known facts about rattlesnakes.

“Rattlesnakes actually make friends in the wild. They’re actually quite a social animal which makes sense since they spend more time together in a collective setting than they spend alone.”

Human attitudes, Monk explained, often make conservation more difficult. Part of the problem is people don’t see themselves as part of the ecosystem and often act as if nature is separate from us (“What have rattlesnakes ever done for me?) and that disconnect makes protecting snakes seem optional.” Her session encouraged residents to approach rattlesnakes with respect, not fear, reframing them as neighbors rather than enemies.

Practical steps were also part of the discussion: leave snakes alone if spotted, respect their hibernation dens, and share what you learn with friends and family. “Next time you see a rattlesnake, admire it from afar. Understanding them is the first step to keeping them safe,” Monk said.

Rattlesnakes also face other human-caused hazards. Motor vehicles. 

Motor vehicles are a leading cause of mortality for rattlesnakes, with roadkill rates high enough to potentially cause severe, long-term population declines. Due to their behavior, slow movement, and camouflage, they are particularly vulnerable to being struck by vehicles, a threat exacerbated by their tendency to bask on warm asphalt.

The takeaway from the SACPA session was clear: rattlesnakes are not villains. They are shy, misunderstood, and indispensable to Alberta’s natural heritage . Protecting them doesn’t just save a species—it preserves a piece of the delicate balance that makes the province’s ecosystems thrive.