Snakes stir as temperatures warm in North Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — With warmer temperatures getting more consistent throughout the Tennessee Valley, group Alabama Snake Removers has officially entered busy season.
“The busiest time of the year is going to be right about now,” nuisance wildlife control volunteer Chase Bowman said.
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Bowman has been with Alabama Snake Removers for three years. The group’s mission is to safely move snakes away from family homes and businesses. Alabama Snake Removers only takes volunteers who have prior experience handling wild snakes.
Bowman said hundreds of calls each year come from people living North Alabama alone.
“We put it in the bucket, usually using hooks or tongs, and once we get it out of there, we will relocate it to a safer area,” Bowman said.
Bowman said snakes are essential for pest control in the area, so it’s important to keep them alive, regardless if they’re venomous.
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He said if a venomous snake is killed, it can still envenomate, even while decapitated, for hours after its death.
He said there are three kinds of venomous snake most commonly seen in our area of north Alabama. First, is the Timber Rattlesnake:
“This is the most venomous snake we have in the area, followed by the cottonmouth and then the copperhead after that,” Bowman said.
There are dozens more species of snake roaming the region that are not dangerous, but it can be tough to tell the difference. One example Bowman brought to attention is the difference between an Eastern Hognose snake and a Cottonmouth. The Hognose is a common house pet, while the Cottonmouth could land a victim in the hospital.
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“[The Hognose] has a rostral scale that looks like a little shovel to help it dig through the dirt,” bowman said when describing the difference between that snake and a Cottonmouth.
Getting close enough to actually see a snake’s nose, however, is not a task many onlookers are willing to do when spotting one of these unwanted visitors.
Bowman suggests the best thing to do is stand back, keep an eye on it, and call a professional removal group like Alabama Snake Removers to come get it.
“Distance is going to be your best friend,” he said.
Sometimes, though, Bowman understands there are times the snake must be moved immediately. In that case, he has a suggestion:
“Give it a good spray with a water hose and spray it until it is gone.”
There are are ways to reduce the chance a snake can end up in a private yard.
“Keep the yard picked up pretty well, free of debris. Keep it cut. It keeps them from wanting to come over in that area,” Bowman said.
While those slippery serpents are looking for heat now, in the summer, be ready to find them even closer to home.
“They will try to come in garages and things like that to get as close to the cool as they can,” Bowman said.
Until winter rolls around, keep a watchful eye no matter where you step!
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