Newborn rattlesnakes make their first appearance at a ‘mega den’ in Colorado.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A large group of rattlesnakes, referred to as a “mega den,” in Colorado is expanding as summer comes to an end and baby snakes are being born.

Thanks to a live video feed, scientists studying this den on a rocky hillside are uncovering more about these fascinating and often misunderstood creatures. They are watching as the young snakes, known as pups, crawl over and around the adult females resting on moss-covered rocks.

People can also watch this unique event on the Project RattleCam website. Viewers can participate in important research tasks, like helping to identify individual snakes. Since scientists began streaming their remote camera online in May, several snakes have been given names in a chatroom, such as “Woodstock,” “Thea,” and “Agent 008.”

This project is a partnership among California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, a snake removal company called Central Coast Snake Services, and Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

By inviting the public to get involved, the researchers aim to change the common perception that rattlesnakes are aggressive and dangerous. In reality, experts explain that these snakes seldom bite unless they feel threatened or provoked, and they often prefer to avoid confrontation.

Interestingly, rattlesnakes are one of the few reptiles that take care of their young. They even look after the babies of other rattlesnakes. Adult females provide protection and warmth to their pups from the time they are born until they hibernate in mid-autumn, according to Max Roberts, a CalPoly graduate student researcher.

“We often see what we call ‘babysitting’ — pregnant females that haven’t given birth yet protecting the newborn snakes,” Roberts explained on Wednesday.

As many as 2,000 rattlesnakes spend the winter in a private location, which researchers are keeping secret to prevent trespassing. When warmer weather arrives, only the pregnant females remain, while the others scatter to nearby areas.

This year, the scientists have observed the rattlesnakes coiling up to drink water that collects in the dips formed by their bodies. They have also watched how the snakes react when birds swoop down, attempting to catch them as prey.

The most exciting time comes in late August and early September when the rattlesnakes give birth over about two weeks.

“Once they are born, they instinctively move towards the sun or shade to help control their body temperature,” Roberts said.

There are 36 species of rattlesnakes, most of which are found in the United States, particularly in the Southwest. The ones being observed in this study are prairie rattlesnakes, which inhabit much of the central and western United States as well as parts of Canada and Mexico.

Unlike most snakes, rattlesnakes do not lay eggs; instead, they give birth to live young. On average, a rattlesnake will have around eight pups, although this can vary depending on the size of the snake, according to Roberts.

Roberts is investigating how changes in temperature and UV sunlight influence rattlesnake behavior. Another graduate student, Owen Bachhuber, is exploring the social dynamics and family relationships among rattlesnakes.

The researchers continuously monitor the live video feed, receiving assistance from up to 500 viewers who tune in online.

“We aim to study rattlesnake behavior in a natural setting, free from human interference. What do rattlesnakes do when we’re not around?” Roberts said.

As the Rocky Mountain summer starts to cool, some male rattlesnakes have begun returning to the den. The camera, powered by solar energy and batteries, will be turned off by November until next spring when the snakes will emerge again from their “mega den.”