From spring through summer, calls and emails about snakes are a given at Georgia Department of Natural Resources offices. Yet most of those contacts involve only two questions: What species is this and what do I do with it?
“Only every once in a while, is it a venomous snake,” said John Jensen, a senior wildlife biologist with DNR’s Nongame Conservation Section and co-author of “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia.
”Whether it’s a venomous snake is, of course, the concern or outright fear underlying most of the questions. Chances are it’s not, Jensen said. Only six of the 46 species native to Georgia are venomous and only one – the copperhead – usually thrives in suburban areas, where the majority of Georgians live.
What to do, then, if you spot a snake?
- Try to identify it from a distance. Resources such as www.georgiawildlife.com/GeorgiaSnakes, which includes DNR’s “Venomous Snakes of Georgia” brochure, can help.
- Do not try to catch or handle the snake. Give it the space it needs.
- Remember that snakes are predators that feed on rodents, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear non-venomous snakes. Georgia’s native non-venomous species are protected by state law, and one – the eastern indigo – is federally protected as an imperiled species.
- If a clearly identified venomous snake is in an area where it represents a danger to people or pets, wait to see it moves away first. If not, contact DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division for a list of private wildlife removal specialists. Most snake bites occur when a snake is cornered or captured, prompting it to defend itself.
Non-venomous snakes such as scarlet kingsnake, eastern hognose and watersnake species can be confused with their venomous counterparts. Pit vipers, which include all of the state’s venomous snake species except for the coral snake, are often identified by their broad, triangular-shaped heads. But many nonvenomous snakes flatten their heads when threatened and may have color patterns similar to venomous species. Use caution around any unidentified snake.
For more on Georgia’s snakes, go to www.georgiawildlife.org/georgiasnakes. “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia” (www.georgiawildlife.org/conservation/reptileamphibianguide, UGA Press) is a thorough reference.