Rattlesnakes begin to emerge from terrifying megaden holding more than 2,000 serpents
Rattlesnakes are beginning to emerge from hibernation as the springtime approaches, including up to 2,000 serpents from a mega den in a secret location in Colorado.
Researchers from California Polytechnic State University have set up webcams near the secret spot in Colorado to record the serpents' behavior.
The research is a part of Project RattleCam, which monitors rattlesnakes in Colorado and California.
The webcams were placed last summer so scientists could learn more about the reptiles' daily behavior in the wild.
A snake removal company called Central Coast Snake Services and Dickinson College in Pennsylvania are also involved in the project.
Scientists made the live stream footage public so anyone can watch the snakes moving in real time.
The footage captivated audiences as snakes have recently been observed leaving the mega den.
Around 2.5 million people watched the live births of baby snakes, also known as pups, last year.
Rattlesnakes hibernate in the winter and begin to emerge when the weather gets warm.
Currently, there've only been a few snakes seen on camera, but scientists estimate that there will be thousands by the end of May.
Some of the snakes pictured at the Colorado rockery are named Pirate, Loki, Scarly, Honeybee, and Olga.
The prairie rattlesnake is are native to grassland, sandhills, semidesert shrubland, riparian zones, and montane woodland habitats, according to the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation.
The rattlesnakes give birth at the end of the summer, for two weeks in late-August to early September. Contrary to popular belief, rattlesnakes give birth to their young and don't lay eggs.
Max Roberts, a CalPoly graduate student researcher, told the Associated Press last year that rattlesnakes are pack-like creatures.
Mothers care for the young together and protect the newborn pups with their body heat until they enter hibernation.
'We regularly see what we like to call "babysitting," pregnant females that we can visibly see have not given birth, yet are kind of guarding the newborn snakes,' Roberts said.
The researchers are studying different aspects of the serpents' daily lives. Last year, Roberts focused on how temperature changes and ultraviolet sunlight affect the reptiles.
Another graduate student studied the familial and social relationships of the rattlesnakes.
'We are interested in studying the natural behavior of rattlesnakes, free from human disturbance. What do rattlesnakes actually do when we're not there?' Roberts told AP.
The webcam was turned off last fall since the snakes were in hibernation, but is live once again as they emerge from the infamous mega den.
The live stream is on at all hours, but stops for 15 minutes at 7am and 7pm PST. Snake enthusiasts can also watch the California RattleCam from 7am to 8pm PST starting in July.
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