Montana Child Bitten By Rattlesnake While Visiting Popular River

By now I'm sure you've heard of the child that was bitten by a rattlesnake while getting out of the Madison River outside of Bozeman.

The Madison is something a whole lot of locals and tourists float during the dog days of summer here in Montana. The river, is clam, slow, and beautiful, so you can imagine the shock when a a family was getting out of the river at a popular spot an their child was the victim of a rattlesnake attack.

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When it comes to rattle snakes here in Montana, there is only one species, and that's the Prairie Rattlesnake (also known as the Western Rattlesnake). While there isn't an official number, it is believed that there are "thousands" of them across Montana.

How dangerous are rattlesnakes in Montana?

While they snake mostly covers the Eastern and Central parts of the state, you most likely find them in areas that are dry, rocky, or grassy. And while a rattlesnake bite will certainly raise an eyebrow or two, it's important to note that they are rarely fatal here in Big Sky Country. In fact, there hasn't been a fatal rattlesnake attack in over a decade here in Montana.

Duncan Sanchez

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So, for those of you are second guessing your summer plans, don't. Millions of visitors come to Montana each year, and along with the locals, there are only 5 to 16 bites per year according to data.