Does Austin Have More Snakes This Year?

Austin, TX-- Each year as summer approaches we revisit the same concerns as snakes begin coming out more often to enjoy the warmth. When Summer gets close and temperatures rise, snakes seem to make more appearances.

Most are nonvenomous and will leave you alone if you leave them alone.

Expert and owner of Austin Reptile Service Tim Cole said this snake season has been normal. 

"It's normal activity for us," said Cole. "I suspect the people talking about it are not familiar with the area and the activities." 

He continues:

"I always encourage people to learn the venomous species in our area," said Cole. "We only have four possibilities: western diamondback rattlesnake, the broad bandit copperhead, the western cottonmouth, and the Texas coral snake."  

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow

Here are pointers so that you can identify poisonous species.

Western Diamondback

The Desert Museum has a cheat sheet to help identify the diamondback: Defining characteristics include a triangular-shaped head, dark diagonal lines on both sides of its face, and dark diamond-shaped patterns along its back. Additionally, it has black and white bands above the rattle.

Broad Bandit Copperhead

Clemsonedu, via College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences offers identifying characteristics of the broad bandit copperhead. One of the most distinguishable characteristics is its hourglass shape, which lays almost “sideways” on the copperhead’s back. One attribute that may make it difficult to identify is that the hourglass shape can occasionally disconnect or "mismatch", meaning the true hourglass shape isn't always held, especially toward the tail.

Western Cottonmouth

It's important to know that a western cottonmouth is also known as a water moccasin. This gives a big clue as to the environment where the snakes like to dwell. Texnattamu.edu helps us identify the western cottonmouth. Cottonmouths are known to have wide bodies like copperheads, but have a dark brown color with dark patterning. If you mistake a cottonmouth for a copperhead, at least you know that both are venomous. When threatened, a cottonmouth will likely open its mouth wide, revealing a white color. Cottonmouths are found in east Texas, along the Gulf Coast, and in the Austin Hill Country.

Texas Coral Snake

Only one species of coral snake lives in Texas, (Micrurus tener), lives in Austin. Coral snakes are slender, have small heads, and alternating rings. They seem pretty, for a snake, but don't let their attractive appearance and small size convince you that they can't harm you. Their venom is extra potent. Coral snakes are less aggressive than othersnakes. This helpful rhyme may be useful: “Red touch yellow, kill a fellow.” If the red and yellow rings touch each other on a snake, it is a Texas coral snake.

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow

Be Sensible

If you see a snake near your home, Cole encourages you to go on the offense, thoughtfully and without putting yourself in danger.

"You can call somebody, come out and move it," said Cole. "I would strongly encourage you just to spray it with a garden hose. Once they've had interaction with people, they do not come back to that point of interaction." 

Not sure I'd be willing to try the water hose suggestion unless there was a big distance between me and a potentially harmful snake. Above all, be cautious. If you aren't comfortable interacting with a snake, call someone who is skilled in doing so.

Minimize interactions with venomous snakes by eliminating their hiding places like wood and underbrush as well as their favored food sources like rats and other small rodents.

My daughter's teacher recently sent home a picture that a decent-sized snake was found on the school playground in Austin. Students were excited and a bit alarmed to see this fellow peek at them from the fence. In Austin, be careful and be aware. Hopefully you can identify Austin's venomous snakes.

Picture royalty-free picture provided to parents.

Top photo by Alexis Chateau from Pexels

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow