Snake season: Here are some tips on how to stay safe in CSRA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As spring warms up, snakes are moving, and you can bet Georgia State herpetologist Daniel Sollenberger’s phone is ringing and his inbox is full.
He’s the state’s a go-to guy for snake questions, and at this time of year, most of those questions center on two topics:
- What species is this?
- What should I do?
Whether it’s venomous is the worry or fear underlying most of the questions. Chances are it’s not. Only seven of the 47 species native to Georgia are venomous, and only one – the copperhead – usually thrives in more heavily populated areas.
Other venomous snakes in Georgia include the pigmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, eastern diamondback rattlesnake and eastern coral snake.
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- Nonvenomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and watersnake species are frequently confused with their venomous counterparts – coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins, respectively.
- Although pit vipers are often identified by their broad, triangular-shaped heads, many nonvenomous snakes flatten their heads when threatened, which can make their heads appear triangular.
- While some snakes eat rodents and even venomous snakes, others prey on creatures some Georgians also may not want near their homes. Brown and red-bellied snakes, for example, feed on snails and slugs, the bane of gardeners. Crowned snake species primarily eat centipedes.
- To reduce the potential for snakes near your home, remove brush, log piles and other habitat features that attract mice, lizards and other animals on which snakes prey.
“With spring, a variety of wildlife species become active and visible in and around our homes, yards and gardens, including snakes,” Sollenberger said. “While seven of Georgia’s snake species can be dangerously venomous to humans, the 40 other species are nonvenomous, completely harmless and actually protected by state law.”
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Which leads to the second question: What should you do, or not do, if you see a snake?
Here’s Sollenberger’s advice:
First, do not attempt to handle the snake. Give it the space it needs. Other tips:
- If you want to identify it, do so from a distance. Resources such as https://georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes, which includes DNR’s “Venomous Snakes of Georgia” brochure, can help.
- that snakes are predators that feed on small mammals, amphibians, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear nonvenomous snakes. Also, as Sollenberger mentioned, Georgia’s native nonvenomous species are protected by state law. One of those species, the eastern indigo, is even federally protected.
- If a clearly identified venomous snake is in an area where it represents a danger to people or pets, visit https://georgiawildlife.com/preventing-wildlife-conflicts for a list of private wildlife removal specialists. Most bites occur when a snake is cornered or captured and defending itself.
Nonvenomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and watersnake species are frequently confused with their venomous counterparts – coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins, respectively.
Although pit vipers, which include all venomous species native to Georgia except for coral snakes, are often identified by their broad, triangular-shaped heads, many nonvenomous snakes flatten their heads when threatened, which can make their heads appear triangular-shaped, according to Sollenberger.
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Also, some nonvenomous species have color patterns similar to venomous snakes.
“To keep yourself safe and allow our native wildlife to thrive,” Sollenberger said, “give all snakes the space they require and the ability to escape on their own.”
For more on Georgia’s snakes, visit https://georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes.
What if one bites you?
- Don’t put ice on the affected area, even if it swells because ice can make the venom move faster through your system.
- Don’t take pain medications. That way when you get to urgent care, your doctor can better evaluate your body’s reaction to the bite and better determine whether you need antivenom treatment.
- To avoid a trip to the doctor, avoid snakes in the first place.
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