Warmer temperatures are slowly returning to Colorado's Western Slope. As daytime highs creep higher into the 60s, snakes start to stir and slither around the Centennial State as brumation ends.

Did you know that the snakiest state in America is Texas? They have 68 species of snakes to deal with year-round. Here in Colorado, we deal with around 30 different kinds of serpents. Let's look at three of our state's most dangerous snakes you may encounter in the great outdoors.

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Colorado's Midget Faded Rattlesnake

Large snakes of Colorado.
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If we had to select one snake in Colorado to avoid, it would be the Midget Faded Rattlesnake. While it's not the largest, it's the deadliest snake in our state. While Midget rattlesnakes grow to around a foot in size, they are of the pit viper species that can be fatal to humans. If one of these snakes bites you, you should dial 9-1-1 as soon as it is safe.

The Desert/Western Massasauga Rattlesnake

Colorado's large snakes.
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Western Colorado's Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake is the second largest rattlesnake in Colorado. These snakes use their rattle like a scorpion uses their stinger. These snakes can be found in areas of Southeast Colorado like Lincoln, Bent, Crowley, Otero, Kiowa, and Cheyenne. The Massasauga rattlesnakes can grow to about three feet in length. These snakes love dry and sandy habitats and the rodents that live there.

Colorado's Prarie Rattlesnake

Large snakes of Colorado.
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Colorado's Prarie Rattlesnake is Colorado's largest. They grow to 45 inches or more in length and pack a bite that can be lethal to humans. Predators like golden eagles, northern harriers, and hawks help control the population of Prarie rattlesnakes in Colorado.

Keep going to check out the most common snakes found in Colorado below.

LOOK: 9 Slithering Snakes You May Encounter While Outdoors in Colorado

Welcome to Colorful Colorado, home to about thirty different species of slithering snakes. They are not the first thing we all think of when we imagine Colorado, but both venomous and non-venomous snakes live all over our state. Keep going to see nine of the most common ones you could run into.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

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Take a look at what you may have missed at this year’s Reptilian Nation Expo’s stop in Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Nate Wilde

KEEP GOING: 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

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