Colorado is full of some incredible wildlife, and some awesome animal stories as well

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However, there’s a few that can definitely leave a mark if you let them. This state is full of some dangerous animals that can pose a major threat to humans.

Of course there’s classic predators like mountain lions and black bears, the latter of which just attacked someone in Steamboat Springs.

Then, there’s moose and elk, whose massive size can lead to grave danger if provoked.

However, the prairie rattlesnake packs a huge punch in a much smaller size. 

As it would turn out, hundreds of them have just been discovered here in Northern Colorado.

Den With Hundreds of Rattlesnakes Found in Northern Colorado

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According to CBS News, researchers at Cal Poly have discovered a den that houses hundreds, if not thousands of prairie rattlesnakes.

The space is perfect for rattlesnakes because it has plenty of places for the snakes to hide and take shelter.

They’ve also set up a livestream of this exact den so you can watch these snakes live their lives and interact with each other.

It’s all part of Project Rattlecam, which is a program between Cal Poly and Dickinson College to monitor rattlesnakes. 

The goal is to demystify rattlesnakes to the general public, and to show people how important they are to local ecosystems.

Rattlesnakes Play a Big Role in Colorado’s Ecosystem

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While rattlesnakes may seem scary, they actually are rather docile creatures when they are not provoked.

However, they are critical when it comes to controlling the populations of small mammals. 

According to Oklahoma State University, the average rattlesnake will eat 21 rodents per year, meaning they play a critical role in preventing possible pests from spreading around.

Beware of the 12 Most Dangerous Animals in Colorado

Keep an eye out for the following 12 dangerous animals in Colorado. While these creatures usually go out of their way to avoid you, if you encounter one you will want to give it plenty of space. Scroll on to see each one and find out why they make the cut of the most dangerous animals in Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

39 Colorado Animals You May Run Into

A large variety of wildlife is just one of the many perks of living in Colorado. Check out this list and count how many of these animals you've seen in person.

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