It’s snake season in our region: Here’s what you should know

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - As spring warms up, snakes are moving and Daniel Sollenberger’s phone is ringing.

As state herpetologist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Sollenberger is a go-to for snake questions. In the spring, most of those questions center on two topics: What species is this and 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.

But use caution around any unidentified snake.

“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.”

SNAKE INSIGHTS:

• 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.

Mary Pruitt has studied snakes for years, and she agrees.

“No snake is out there looking to attack a human. We don’t have any snakes in Georgia that are big enough to eat a human, so it would be a waste of their energy to even try and come after you,” she said.

What if you encounter a snake and you’re afraid?

“The best thing to do is just leave them alone, go the other direction,” she said.

Pruitt told us you could try spraying it with a hose or calling a snake removal expert.

But whatever you do, she says don’t try killing it.

“Trying to kill one puts yourself in danger of being bit, so it’s best to just leave them alone,” she said.

And make sure your pets stay away from them. Veterinarians say you’ll know right away if your dog is bitten by a snake because they’ll yelp in extreme pain and the bite site will swell. The good news, while some cases will require antivenom, vets say more often than not your pet can be treated with pain medication and lots of fluids.

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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