Beware of wildlife fleeing wildfire areas-Like giant snakes!

Look at the size of this rattlesnake! This is what Jeremiah Mason found after the Spring Fire pushed the snake to the edge of La Veta. 

We’ve all seen the evacuation centers that are set up for domestic animals when their owners are forced to flee their homes during a wildfire. Great efforts are made to keep everything from cattle to mini-pigs comfortable while they’re displaced. 

If you live anywhere near the fires burning in Colorado, you’ve probably seen some of them fleeing the area. What really happens to the wildlife in these areas? Some species escape, some perish and others even thrive as a result of the fire.

Most wildlife has an understanding in relation to fires, after all, it’s part of nature. Most animals don’t sit around pondering what their next move is. Birds take off, mammals run and other small creatures dig into the ground to escape the flames.

Some predators take advantage of the fleeing animals and treat them as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Bears, raptors and even raccoons have been known to eat the animals trying to flee the flames.

Be aware that the animals are on the move and the fact that they may make a rest stop in your yard. It’s important to bring your pets in at night to give the wild animals a chance to move on through those areas and keep your pets safe.