![]() ![]() Although you may rarely have one, snake encounters will become more common as the temperature warms. Most snakes have no desire to be around people. Snakes usually do not move fast, and you can retreat from the snake's path. If you encounter a snake, step back and allow it to go on its way. Use a wooden pole to move or flip the object first to make sure a snake is not hiding underneath. Do not put fingers under debris you intend to move. When cleaning debris, watch where you put your hands and feet. Keep your eyes open and stay aware of where you are walking. Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood where a snake may be hiding. In the late fall and early spring, snakes seek rocks or patches of sunlight to bask and heat their bodies and tend to be more active during daylight hours. When walking at night in the summer months, use a flashlight. In the heat of summer, snakes are more active at night and seek cooler areas for daytime retreat. Never step over logs or other obstacles unless you can see the other side. To avoid an encounter, walk on paths with clear visibility and little ground cover. Be aware that snakes wait for their prey underneath or beside logs, rocks and debris. A venomous snake observed from a distance and left alone is completely harmless. So how can a person stay out of harm's way when encountering a snake?įirst of all, snakes do not chase someone down and try to do them harm. In the lab where escape was not an option, over three-fourths used threat displays and about a third (13 of 36) bit an artificial hand used in the tests. According to a University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service fact sheet authored by Julie McPeake, a study of cottonmouths in the field (45 snakes) and laboratory (36 snakes) found half of the snakes encountered in the field tried to escape. Typically, snakes will go to great lengths to avoid a confrontation with people. Most venomous snakes are slow to strike and do so only if provoked. ![]() People mistakenly kill snakes when in fact they pose no threat. Without the help of these reptiles, we would be overrun with rodents and insects.ĭid you know it is against the law to kill a snake? According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Code, all native snakes, including venomous snakes, are protected by law and are illegal to kill unless they "pose reasonable threat or endangerment to persons or property" on your private property. These venomous snakes are not the villains people think they are. ![]() While most snakes you may encounter are not poisonous, a few venomous snakes can be found in Arkansas, including rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins, and the occasional Texas coral snakes. ![]() Snakes will begin to come out when the temperature outside has reached 60 degrees. They will be less active and will not be too eager to eat. A snake will not sleep during the brumation, but the temperature of their body will get lower and their metabolism will slow down considerably. In areas where the winter is not as cold, the snake will go into what is called brumation. What happens to snakes during the winter? Do they hibernate? Hibernation is a deep sleep that takes place in snow-covered and colder climates. It is April and finally, the weather is getting warmer! Along with the warmer weather, though, comes the "awakening" of snakes! ![]()
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