A southern Colorado man is in critical condition after getting bitten by a rattlesnake several times.

He was bitten around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night outside his home in Hanover, near mile marker 119 on I-25, south of Fountain.

The 45-year-old man had to be airlifted to the hospital.

Hanover Fire Chief Carl Tatum tells 11 News the man had reached off his deck to pick up his dog when the snake bit him. When Tatum arrived seven minutes later, the man's hand was already swollen.

"It looks like he got struck about four or five times," said Hanover Fire Chief Carl Tatum.

Tina Jackson, Reptile and Amphibian Coordinator with the Colorado Division of Wildlife says she doesn't hear of multiple bites very often and says the snake probably felt very threatened.

"Alot of times it's just one bite whether it's the person or the dog or other animal being bite," said Jackson.

Jackson says dogs usually get bitten more often than humans do because they don't interpret the rattle sound as a warning. But, the victim in this case told Fire Chief Tatum he didn't hear any suspicious noise before he reached for his dog.

"The best thing to do if you have an idea there might be a rattlesnake in the area is to watch where you put your hands and feet. If we're getting too close with our hands and our feet, that's when they'll try to protect themselves and potentially bite," said Jackson.

Rattlesnakes can be found almost anywhere in Colorado. They are attracted to shelter and food.