The stunning scenery of Utah, which includes glistening salt flats and towering red rock canyons, has long enthralled outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. But there’s another kind of thrill waiting for you beneath the surface of some of Utah’s most beautiful lakes: snakes!
These often misunderstood reptiles are an essential component of the state’s ecology, even though some people may find the idea uncomfortable.
Whether you’re an experienced kayaker exploring the coastline, an avid angler throwing a line, or just a nature enthusiast spending a tranquil day by the river, be ready to meet one of these amazing animals.
Now, let’s tour Utah’s “Snake-tacular” lakes with your binoculars (and perhaps a good dose of respect)!
Bear Lake
Bear Lake, which is just on the border between Idaho and Utah, is a wonderful location with calm, clear waters that are perfect for a leisurely sailing day and offer breathtaking scenery.
The terrestrial garter snake and the great basin rattlesnake are a couple of the species you might come across. Though sightings are infrequent, the Striped White snake also hides somewhere beneath the surface. In actuality, Bear Lake is a wildlife refuge area that serves as the native home to numerous amphibians and mammals.
It is also a local favorite. Along with hiking and fishing, visitors enjoy water sports like jet skiing and swimming at this location. There are also campsites available, but just in case, cinch up your sleeping bags.
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Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake in Utah is home to a wide variety of wildlife and is the biggest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. The fact that this habitat is home to a variety of snake species and that they may conceal in or near water won’t reassure anyone who are afraid of snakes.
The Great Salt Lake region is home to several snake species, including the red garter snake, valley garter snake, and Western yellow-bellied snake. These snakes find the region’s distinct topography to be rather conducive to their environment.
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Lake Powell
Nestled inside Utah’s well-known canyons, on the Colorado River, sits the enormous reservoir known as Lake Powell. It is recognized for its peculiar form and surreal arrangement of tangerine-hued rock formations in an environment akin to a desert.
The predominant snake species in the Lake Powell region are gopher snakes, which are incredibly common in North America and have an ideal environment there. But there have also been reports of sightings of rattlesnakes, so visitors are advised to exercise caution.
Please do not disturb one if you come across one. Smaller species, including lizards, rabbits, and mice, prefer to hide in the underbrush near Lake Powell’s edge; larger animals, such big horn sheep, prefer the higher altitudes.
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Navajo Lake
Navajo Lake in Utah is situated in the southwest of the state, near the Dixie National Forest. Under the vast blue sky, lush forests encircle it.
Given that both species thrive in marshlands and wetlands, the Western patch-nosed snake and the valley garter snake are the most common snakes to be seen around Lake Navajo. These snakes are abundant in the area and are frequently seen lounging on rocks on warm afternoons.
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Flaming Gorge Reservoir
At 6,045 feet in elevation and 42,020 acres in size, the Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the Green River in Utah possesses all the characteristics of a natural lake.
Because this area is home to species like the gopher snake, which is frequently mistaken for a rattlesnake because of its look and vibrating tail, snake infestations have become apparent here.
If the snake lacks a rattle and has a thin tail, it is not a real rattlesnake but rather a harmless gopher snake. Though there are rumors of snake infestations, tourists still love the water, and rafting, parasailing, and water skiing are among the main watersports offered there.
To Conclude
These fascinating animals can occasionally be seen in Utah’s “Snake-tacular” lakes, from the Gopher Snake at Flaming Gorge Reservoir to the Great Basin Rattlesnake at Bear Lake. Remember that you may safely cross these breathtaking lakes and understand the crucial function these snakes play in the environment with a little education and respect for their home.
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