Sask PCAP

Large river valleys are essential for Prairie Rattlesnakes to exist. They require a winter den site, a place to forage as well as movement corridors between habitats. #SARSweetTweet #pcapprairie #grasslandsnationalpark #keepsaskwild #agmorethanever #saskag #exploresask

Prairie Rattlesnakes have some variation in colour. They can be tan, olive or brown with darker bands or blotches along its back. They have dark rings along their tail. #SARSweetTweet #grasslandsnationalpark #keepsaskwild #agmorethanever #saskag #saskbeef #saskparks #exploresask

Like all rattlesnakes, Prairie Rattlesnakes have a triangular shaped head and a segmented rattle on the end of its tail. Rattlesnakes also have retractable fangs as well as two heat sensing pits on its face. #SARSweetTweet #pcapprairie #grasslandsnationalpark #keepsaskwild

The Prairie Rattlesnake has been described as a heavy-bodied pit-viper. They can be about 4feet long and weigh an average of 1kg or just over 2lbs. #SARSweetTweet #grasslandsnationalpark #naturesask #keepsaskwild #agmorethanever Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Andrew Dubois

Do you love snakes? Or hate them? Tell us which side of the spectrum you fall on… and why! #SARSweetTweet #grasslandsnationalpark #naturesask #keepsaskwild #agmorethanever #saskag #saskbeef #saskparks #yqr #yxe #sasksnakes #exploresask Image: FlickrCreativeCommons/Andrew Dubois

Lets get ready to shake, rattle and roll! Follow us this week to learn about the Prairie Rattlesnake! Facebook: skpcap Instagram: skpcap X: SaskPCAP #SARSweetTweet #grasslandsnationalpark #naturesask #keepsaskwild #agmorethanever Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Andrew Dubois

Creative. Engineers. Pest. Nuisance. These are all words that can be used to describe Barn Swallows. While they often build their nests in undesirable and inconvenient locations, their ingenuity and persistence has to be admired. #pcapprairie #saskparks #grasslands #exploresask

Look for Little Blue Stem bunched on hillslopes. Its blue-green blades turn copper over summer. This drought tolerant grass is used as food, shelter & nesting material for birds and other wildlife. Its fibrous roots go 6ft into the ground! Image: newmoonnursery.wordpress.com

In Sask, Prairie Rattlesnakes have been known to travel up to 11km away from their winter den site! On average, a snake will migrate 3km. Anthropogenic landscapes (cropland, roads, etc) is the largest threat to migrating snakes. #SARSweetTweet #grasslandsnationalpark #naturesask

Can you tell the difference between these two snakes? Pictured here is a Bullsnake, that when cornered may imitate a Prairie Rattlesnake by shaking its tail and making a hissing sound with its mouth. #pcapprairie #grasslandsnationalpark #naturesask #keepsaskwild #agmorethanever

Unfortunately, many #InvasiveWeeds are still being sold in garden centres and nurseries. While shopping for your gardening needs this year, bring this “Grow Me Instead” card with you! It is produced by our partner – @npss_sk npss.sk.ca/rsu_docs/docum… #AgMoreThanEver #KeepSaskWild

Hand removal of Japanese brome, before it goes to seed is the best way to eradicate an infestation of this #InvasiveWeed. #IYRP #grasslands #AgMoreThanEver #KeepSaskWild #saskbeef #saskag #SaskParks #yqr #yxe #RangeNinja Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Andrey Zharkikh

It is hard to eradicate Japanese Brome once it becomes established in an area. Mowing is the best way to prevent seed production and reduce the spread of this noxious weed. #InvasiveWeeds #AgMoreThanEver #saskbeef #saskag #SaskParks Image: FlickrCreativeCommons/ Matt Lavin

What’s in your wildflower seed mix? Read the label to insure there aren’t any invasive species! Wildflowers may be wild somewhere but it may not be here! #InvasiveWeeds #AgMoreThanEver #KeepSaskWild #saskbeef #saskag #SaskParks #exploresask #rangeninja #spurgepurge #yqr #yxe

Japanese Brome is an ecological disaster. It grows in dense patches and with its fibrous roots, this noxious weed displaces native vegetation. #InvasiveWeeds #AgMoreThanEver #KeepSaskWild #saskbeef #saskag #SaskParks #yqr #yxe Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Matt Lavin

Japanese Brome is a nightmare for producers. It can reduce crop yields & increase the risk of wild fire. The dried seed heads are extremely flammable! It is more likely to start fires & spread them faster! Yikes! #InvasiveWeeds #SaskAg Image:FlickrCreativeCommons/ Matt Lavin

#InvasiveWeed Japanese Brome can be up to 35 inches or 90cm tall. Its seed head is drooping on slender twisting branches. Look for this purplish-tinged plant when it has its seed head, May-June. #AgMoreThanEver #SaskParks #yqr #yxe Image: Flickr Creative Commons/ Matt Lavin

When it has gone to seed, #InvasiveWeed Japanese Brome looks like a rattlesnake tail! These spikey awns can injure grazing livestock, such as the soft tissues of the mouth, nose & eyes of livestock. "Rip gut" is when it perforates its intestine. FlickrCreativeCommons/ Matt Lavin

In the United States, Japanese Brome was a major source of early spring forage for lambs. Unfortunately, it is now classified as a Noxious Weed because of its economic impact on agriculture and the environment. #InvasiveWeeds #SaskBeef Image: Flickr Creative Commons/Matt Lavin

#InvasiveWeed Japanese Brome may also be referred to as Japanese chess or field brome. Look for it in disturbed areas, roadsides, old yard sites, on cropland or native prairie. #InvasiveWeeds #saskbeef #saskag #SaskParks #yqr #yxe Image: FlickrCreativeCommons/Matt Lavin