1 week Ago By The Augusta Chronicle
As temperatures begin to rise a wide range of wildlife species, including snakes, become active in and around our homes. But experts say there is no need to panic. “In this part of the world, you could see snakes almost any time of the year,” said Daniel Sollenberger, senior wildlife biologist and herpetologist for the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.
“But certainly, by this time of year − March, April − is when a lot of species start getting around, looking for mates and feeding. Sollenberger called spring "a busy time for snakes," noting sightings of them rise significantly this time of year. And there are plenty of them to spot.
Sollenberger said there are nearly 50 different species of snakes that call Georgia home. “If you consider us having two species of cottonmouth, which we formally considered all as one, then that makes seven venomous snakes," said Sollenberger. "So 40 out of the 47 (snake species) are nonvenomous and actually protected by Georgia law.
” Snakes are vital to the ecosystem Georgia has 47 species of snakes, but only 7 are venomous. Learn here how to tell the difference. What should you do if you see a snake? There are 38 snake species of snakes in South Carolina, only six of which are venomous, according to experts with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Some of the most commonly seen snakes in South Carolina are: Sollenberger said snakes are vital to the ecosystem. “They fill different roles in the food web depending on the type of snake and where you're at,” he said. “All snakes are predators of one thing or another.
Timber rattlesnakes, copperheads, rat snakes and hingsnakes are all bigger snakes that eat a lot of small mammals, like rats and mice. They're one of many predators to help keep those populations of animals in check.” Sollenberger said snakes also help out in the garden.
“We have some snakes that help provide us a service in our gardens,” he said. “Red bellied snakes and brown snakes like to eat slugs.” Snakes as prey “Opossums, racoons, red shouldered hawks and even other snakes eat snakes,” said Sollenberger.
“We have several species of snakes in Georgia that consume other snakes. Most of those will also eat other things. The Eastern coral snake eats almost exclusively other snakes.
Occasionally, they'll eat long, skinny lizards, but they're very specialized. The Eastern king snakes get their name because they're known for eating other snakes. But they'll also eat rats, mice, lizards and turtle eggs.
” Snake facts Nonvenomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and water snake species are frequently confused with their venomous counterparts: coral snakes, rattlesnakes and water moccasins, according to Georgia DNR. 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.
“In rare instances, venomous snakes in particular might coil up next to your house, because you have a lot of chipmunks in your yard,” said Sollenberger. “Let’s say it’s a copperhead and it’s been sitting there for a few hours. I’ve told people that if they have a water hose with a jet sprayer, spraying the snake will chase them away safely.
” This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Partners. Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.
com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Warmer temperatures means more snake sightings, learn what to do if.
