See Why This Rattlesnake Livestream Went Viral

Sometimes, real life is even scarier than nightmares. Case in point: a rattlesnake “mega den” that contains thousands of these venomous reptiles. This rattlesnake haven is located in a secret location in Colorado, and last month, the snakes started to emerge from hibernation. (Cue terrified screams here!)

What Is the Rattlesnake Mega Den?

Although it sounds like something from an Indiana Jones movie, the rattlesnake mega den is actually a place for researchers to learn more about these reptiles.

The rattlesnakes went viral in 2024 when researchers at California Polytechnic State University, Central Coast Snake Services, and Dickinson College set up a webcam on private land in northern Colorado that spring. It’s nicknamed Project RattleCam and features a livestream of a prairie rattlesnake rookery that people love to watch. In 2024, researchers estimated that as many as 2,000 rattlesnakes may use the den over the course of the season, though only dozens or hundreds are typically seen at any one time.

Their location is kept secret to protect the snakes, but you can still watch them on a livestream — and they are pretty entertaining! You can watch snakes shed their skin, bask in the sun, give birth, care for their young, and go about their lives, all from the safety of your screen.

According to Cal Poly, this den is special because of its ideal combination of features that attract snakes. “The den is a rare habitat attracting hundreds of rattlesnakes because of its geologic features that provide snakes with hiding places and shelter from the elements,” according to a statement.

How Is It Done?

The camera that records the snakes is solar-powered and is mostly funded by donations. Emily Taylor, project lead and a Cal Poly biological sciences professor, says in a press release, “This livestream allows us to collect data on wild rattlesnakes without disturbing them, facilitating unbiased scientific discovery.”

There’s another benefit to this livestream: it educates the public about rattlesnakes. “But even more important is that members of the public can watch wild rattlesnakes behaving as they naturally do, helping to combat the biased imagery we see on television shows of rattling, defensive and stressed snakes interacting with people who are provoking them,” Taylor says.

It’s Happening Again

Fox31 local news in Colorado reported in April that snakes have begun to emerge from the mega den again, kicking off the 2025 season. Last year, 2.5 million people watched the rattlesnake livestream, per Fox31, which goes for 24 hours, seven days a week. You can also watch highlights of the rattlesnakes on Project RattleCam’s YouTube page, such as this video of a peaceful spring day in May 2025. You can see the snakes slithering around all coiled up next to each other, hiding in leaves, and enjoying the sunshine.

If you like this video, you can help Project RattleCam raise money to install a new livestream camera, this time placed on a den of timber rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania. They also have a live cam featuring western rattlesnakes in California.

What to Know About Rattlesnakes

There are over 60 species of rattlesnakes. The eastern diamondback is the largest and can grow up to eight feet long and weigh as much as 30 pounds. Despite their reputation and venomous bite, rattlesnakes are not usually aggressive. However, they will defend themselves and can attack if they feel threatened.

Prairie rattlesnakes, like the ones in the mega den, can be found throughout Colorado. They are the largest and most common snake in the state, growing up to 35-45 inches. Rodents are their primary food source, which they hunt by blending into their surroundings. (Their rough brown, grey, or green scales blend into the prairie, which is how they got their name.)

According to Cal Poly, the snakes in the mega den do not eat while inside the den. When they wake up from hibernation in the spring, they travel to surrounding meadows and shrublands to search for food over the summer. Pregnant rattlesnakes will stay behind, often not eating until they give birth. These snakes drink water only when it rains. They collect water on their backs, then flatten themselves to drink it. If you watch at the right time, you can see this behavior live on the stream.

If you see a rattlesnake in the wild, it’s best to avoid it. Chances are, it will leave you alone if it doesn’t feel threatened. If you are bitten, stay calm, avoid trying to kill or capture the rattlesnake, and seek medical attention for antivenom. Do not use a tourniquet or attempt to suck out the venom, as these actions can worsen the injury.

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