Bozeman, Mont. — A rattlesnake bite near the Madison River is encouraging Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to remind people to watch where they step this summer.
NonStop Local spoke with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks after a young boy was bitten on Monday near the Damselfly boat launch and later taken to the ER.
The boy's family shared details in the Facebook group Secret Bozeman, saying he was bitten after leaving the river and stepping into a grassy area near the Damselfly boat launch.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks say the incident is a reminder for people in the Bozeman area to stay alert for rattlesnakes as summer continues. FWP says while rattlesnake encounters are common in Montana, the Treasure State is home to only one species of rattlesnake – the prairie rattlesnake.
Morgan Jacobson, an information officer with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, explained how people can identify these venomous reptiles.
"So, rattlesnakes have kind of a triangular shape because they’re part of that pit viper family" Morgan Jacobson said. "They’re eye pupils are more vertical slits rather than round pupils" Jacobson said. "And then of course, rattlesnakes have that rattle at the end of their tail," Jacobson said.
FWP explained that rattlesnakes are not known to be aggressive toward humans or animals, and likely only become defensive when approached. The agency is encouraging Montanans to keep their distance and avoid getting too low to the ground where an encounter could happen.
As for the boy bitten on Monday, his family says he is receiving treatment and doing better.