HOW TO BE SAFE AROUND SNAKES

There are 42 species of snakes in South Carolina and Georgia and only 6 of them are venomous. The venomous species that we do have tend to be quite secretive and are some of the least frequently encountered species. The most frequently observed of our resident snakes are black racers, rat snakes, and nonvenomous water snakes, common and important predators in our ecosystems.

The true risk of venomous snakebite and death in the United States is greatly exaggerated. While there are approximately 7000 reported snakebites on an annual basis, an estimated half of these are actual envenomations and the rest are “dry bites” where the snake bites but does not inject venom. On average, there are fewer than 1900 overall animal-related deaths in the country each year; bee and wasp stings and dog attacks account for a majority while snakes only account for 5-6 deaths each year. Most of these accidents occur at home with captive pets and in backyard encounters. Further, the majority of wild bites occur when the person is attempting to harass, kill or handle the snake. White males and young adults (18-28 years old) are the most frequently bitten demographic. Certain precautions can be taken to avoid almost all snake bites, reducing the true threat of snakebite to lower than that of being struck by lightning.

You are most likely to encounter snakes:

  1. when they are crossing roads;
  2. when they are moving through your backyard or through other transient habitats;
  3. during breeding season (spring or fall) when they are moving to look for mates;
  4. when they are basking near habitat edges (e.g., water bodies, forest lines).

WATCH YOUR STEP AND YOUR REACH
Many of our snake species use camouflage to protect themselves from predators or to catch their prey. Accidentally stepping on or grabbing a snake can communicate to that animal that you are trying to harm it, resulting in an aggressive response.

  • Never place your hands, arms, feet or legs where you can’t see them when outdoors. Even reaching under the house for something blindly can cause you to disturb a hiding snake. While venomous snakes generally do not strike when approached or even stepped on, they almost always do if you grab them and/or pick them up whether intentionally or accidentally.
  • Always wear closed shoes and long pants when walking through woods or places where you won’t have clear views of where you step.
  • Walk around logs instead of blindly stepping over them. Some snakes are rodent specialists and feed along logs.
  • Use a flashlight so you can see the ground at night in areas where venomous snakes might be present.

REMAIN CALM IF YOU SEE ONE
If you encounter a snake, simply step back or, if you are on the road, drive around or let it pass. Most snake encounters are just observations of these animals moving from Point A to B. Remember, they are not interested in harassing you as you are much bigger than they are; they are just going about their business.

CLEAR DEBRIS AND WOOD FROM YOUR YARD
Snakes use debris for remaining cool during hot months, or to find prey. Keeping yards clear of debris and structures keeps them from using these areas. Use gloves and remove firewood from wood piles carefully and during daylight hours. Watch your step next to wood piles and around the crevices between the wood. These spots can be moist hiding grounds for several species.

PETS ARE CURIOUS! KEEP DOGS ON LEASHES AND CATS INDOORS
Your furry friends probably don’t understand the difference between venomous and non-venomous snakes, and your dog’s reaction to a snake could be to stick its nose in the middle of a coil to sniff it. Meanwhile, your cat may think the snake is a play toy. Either situation makes the snake think the dog or cat is going to eat it, and it will react accordingly!

DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE A SNAKE
If a snake is on your property, leave it alone. People generally observe snakes in their yard when they are on the move. When they are moving, they are doing just what you want them to anyway – going away! Even if your intention is to just nudge a snake to move it on its way, please remember that a snake can consider this an attack. In the situations of venomous snake encounters, avoidance is achievable almost all of the time.

DO NOT BE SCAMMED BY SNAKE DETERRENT PRODUCTS
Do not purchase products that claim to prevent snakes from entering your property, even if they are sold in reputable stores. In open areas outdoors, none of these products work as advertised. Using enough to keep snakes away would make the property uninhabitable by people.

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN VENOMOUS SNAKE IDENTIFICATION
Children can readily learn venomous snake identification at early ages since there are only 6 species that all look unique in any given location in SC and GA. This knowledge empowers your child to know which species are potentially harmful and which are acceptable to stand back and observe. Playing outside is healthy for children physically and psychologically and being informed can make this activity safe and give you peace of mind as a parent.

EDUCATE YOURSELF
The best way to overcome a fear of snakes is to learn which snakes are harmless and which ones are venomous. Pass this information on to your family, friends, and children. Once you know how to differentiate, you can navigate this setting with confidence. If you observe a snake in your yard, please take a picture that can be emailed. You can contact srelherp@gmail.com if you seek positive identification or if you have questions regarding how to handle the situation. Check out SREL’s Snakes of South Carolina and Georgia to learn more about each of our resident species.

For more information on Outreach Wildlife Safety training programs, please contact us at outreach@srel.uga.edu.