Kamloops

Researcher looks at human impact on rattlesnakes

Most people get pretty scared when they hear a rattle when they are out for a walk, but not Karl Larsen. The Thompson Rivers University professor studies rattlesnakes. This summer, he's researching how human development is impacting the reptiles.

A Thompson Rivers University professor is looking at how human development is impacting rattlesnakes

Rattlesnake (Karl Larsen)

Rattlesnakes are one the most recognizable reptiles in B.C.

They're also a species that's facing considerable pressures because of human development.

This summer, Thompson Rivers University professor Karl Larsen is looking at some of the ways people are impacting the snake.

Karl Larsen is a professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management in the department of Natural Resource Sciences at Thompson Rivers University. He's in the Lac du Bois Grassland standing in some ideal rattlesnake habitat. (Jenifer Norwell/CBC)

He hopes the work will eventually lead us to better understand how to preserve the population.

The CBC's Jenifer Norwell went out with Larsen to find out more about his work.

To hear the audio, click the link: Researcher looks at human impact on rattlesnakes