Beware! Look Closely!

At Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge and Waterfowl Production Area, prairie rattlesnakes are common and take advantage of the high rodent population to thrive. Visitors to this area should tread lightly and be vigilant when walking through grassy and rocky areas. These creatures play an important role in this fully functioning ecosystem, and like all non-game species on National Wildlife Refuges, are fully protected. Photo by Cortez Rohr/USFWS.