Living with Snakes
Resource Sheet
BACKGROUND
GETTING IT DONE
If you are afraid of snakes, you are not alone. Many people experience a fear of snakes, even though the vast majority of snakes are not harmful to humans. This pervasive disdain for the most modern group of reptiles is
partly due to misinformation brought about by centuries
of myths and folklore.
Step 1: Be Careful In Snake Habitat
In fact, snakes are an integral part of the ecosystems they
inhabit. Like other predators, snakes help to maintain
balance in the wildlife community by keeping their prey
populations, such as insects, rodents, or other snakes, in
check. Imagining an outbreak of rats around your home
helps put the value of our slithery friends into perspective.
Snakes are cold-blooded animals, which means that they
cannot regulate their own body temperature. As a result,
they cannot tolerate extremes in temperature. In the winter, snakes hibernate, emerging from their dens in February or March. During warmer times of the year, they generally confine their activity to the mornings, evenings, and
night time.
Snakes are generally shy creatures, leading a sedentary
lifestyle centered around their food source. As more and
more of the landscape becomes developed, snakes are
pushed out of their native habitat and into our backyards.
It is here where they can find an abundance of food in our
brush piles, firewood stacks, or gardens. Where conditions are favorable, a snake will likely stick around until
its food source is depleted or its surrounding environment
becomes too inhospitable.
Snakes rarely bite something that it doesn’t consider food
or a serious threat to its survival. In most cases, a snake
that is being provoked will flee the scene or will warn the
offender with a rattle, tail vibration, defensive posture, or
a hiss. The following sections describe steps that should
be taken to avoid harmful encounters with snakes.
Snake bites are usually the result of a person trying to handle or kill a snake, or accidentally stepping on it. The surest way to avoid getting bitten is to be aware of the potential for snakes in appropriate habitat (e.g., in tall grass,
around ponds, and under brush or other woody debris) and
take the proper precautions. Being cautious in snake habitat will help avoid accidentally coming into contact with
snakes.
Here are some tips for preventing unfortunate encounters
with poisonous snakes:
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Know what snakes are likely to be in your area and
their typical habitat. A good field guide can help.
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Don’t walk around after dark in areas likely to have
snakes without a flashlight.
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Watch where you step, sit, crawl, and put your hands,
especially when working with brush, overturning
rocks, logs, or boards, or moving outdoor equipment
or debris (boats, trailers, old cars, etc.).
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Wear appropriate clothing, such as long pants, boots,
gloves, or snake guards when working in snake habitat.
If you do come upon a snake, the best course of action is to
just leave it alone. Stay calm and wait for the snake to
move away from you. If you hear, but do not see a rattlesnake, stand still until you have located the animal. You
don’t want to mistakenly walk towards an alarmed snake.
Calmly walking away from the snake is the best bet to
avoid a potentially dangerous situation, especially if you
are unsure of the species.
Step 2: Be Able To Identify The Snake
Even though all snakes have the same general body shape,
there are differences among species that can help you to
identify which ones are poisonous and which are harmless.
Common identifying features that can help you in the field
include:
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Color patterns (stripes, spots, bands, saddles, diamonds, checkers, or blotches)
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Color (gray, brown, black, tan, orange, green, blue,
pink, red, or gold)
3103 Bee Caves Rd. Suite 225 / Austin, Texas 78746 / (512) 327-1180 / www.loomisaustin.com
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Smooth or rough scales (some scales have a ridge
down the middle that gives it a rough appearance,
others are smooth and shiny)
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Vertical (like a cat’s eye) or round pupils
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Body length and width (slender vs. chunky bodies)
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Rattles
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Behavior (hissing, playing dead, or tail vibrating)
Review the list of common snakes in your area found on
the next page and become familiar with some of their
identifying features. A good field guide or online reference will help.
Common Snakes in Bastrop County
Common Name
Poisonous
Scientific Name
Copperhead
Western Cottonmouth
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnake
Texas Coral Snake
Agkistrodon contortrix
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Crotalus atrox
Crotalus horridus
Micrurus tener
Non-poisonous
Eastern Glossy Snake
Eastern Racer
Corn Snake
Eastern Rat Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Prairie Kingsnake
Common Kingsnake
Coachwhip
Plainbelly Water Snake
Southern Water Snake
Diamondback Water Snake
Rough Green Snake
Bullsnake
Longnose Snake
Mountain Patchnose Snake
Brown Snake
Flathead Snake
Checkered Garter Snake
Western Ribbon Snake
Arizona elegans
Coluber constrictor
Elaphe guttata
Elaphe obsoleta
Heterodon platirhinos
Lampropeltis calligaster
Lampropeltis getula
Masticophis flagellum
Nerodia erythrogaster
Nerodia fasciata
Nerodia rhombifer
Opheodrys aestivus
Pituophis melanoleucus
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Salvadora grahamiae
Storeria dekayi
Tantilla gracilis
Thamnophis marcianus
Thamnophis proximus
snake, copperhead, cottonmouth (also called a water moccasin), and Texas coral snake. The copperhead and western diamondback rattlesnake are responsible for the greatest number of snake bites inflicted on humans, due to their
wide range and relative abundance. Pictures and general
features about these species follow to help you identify
them.
Rattlesnakes
The western diamondback rattlesnake is relatively common in Texas. It is readily identified by its dark, diamondshaped markings on its back that are outlined in white and
alternating black and white bands near the end of its tail.
The most distinctive feature of this and other rattlesnakes
is the series of button-like rattles at the tip of the tail,
which is a sure sign of its identity as a poisonous snake.
Rattlesnakes commonly shake their rattles to advertise
their presence (which helps avoid a conflict with humans).
However, many other non-poisonous snakes mimic this
behavior by vibrating their tails in dry leaves or other material that makes it seem like they have a rattle.
Average adult size is 3–4 ft. long, however males can
reach up to 7 ft. long. Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive and will most likely flee if given a chance to retreat. However, the majority of serious snakebite cases
treated in Texas hospitals are from this snake (mostly the
result of unnecessary harassment by people). Fatality is
rare due to the ability of hospitals to deal with the effects
of the venom.
Texas A&M University, 1998. Texas Cooperative Wildlife Collection. Amphibians and Reptiles of Bastrop County, Texas.
Unfortunately, some non-poisonous snakes have features
that are remarkably similar to poisonous snakes. This
kind of mimicry is advantageous for a non-poisonous
snake since it helps them appear “tougher” than they
really are. For example, the Texas coral snake is the only
poisonous snake in Texas with red, yellow, and black
bands on its body. However, several milk snakes, all of
which are harmless, also have red, yellow and black
bands, although in a different order. In this case, a simple
phrase can help with identification: “Red next to black,
venom lack. Red next to yellow, kill a fellow.”
Step 3. Know the Features of Poisonous Snakes
There are five poisonous snakes known in Bastrop
County: western diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattle-
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The timber rattlesnake is similar to the western diamondback rattlesnake, but has jagged dark bands across its back,
instead of diamonds. This species is rare in Bastrop
County.
Copperhead
The broad-banded copperhead is the dominant copperhead
species in Bastrop County. It is most recognizable by its
color, which is a beautiful tan, orange, and brown, and effectively camouflages them in fallen pine and oak leaves.
The southern copperhead has a series of dark brown, hourglass-shaped cross bands on its back, such that the width of
the bands is narrower along the spine than on the sides of
the animal. The copperhead does not have a rattle, but
may vibrate its tail to alert you of its presence.
Average adult size is 2–3 ft. long, reaching up to 3.5 ft.
Copperheads are common snakes that may occur in either
riparian or upland wooded areas. Like the rattlesnake,
copperheads are not generally aggressive and prefer to
flee than strike, if given the chance. Copperhead venom
is rarely ever fatal, except to small mammals, and they
seldom strike unless stepped on or handled.
Western Cottonmouth
Adult cottonmouths are dark snakes with broad banding
that is sometimes very indistinct. Color can vary, however, based on habitat and age, with young individuals
being more brightly colored, similar to a copperhead, and
old individuals appearing dark gray to black. The cottonmouth is a distinctively chunky snake, with a very fat
body and tends to hold its ground rather than flee.
Average adult size is 2–3 ft. long, reaching up to 5 ft.
The snake get its name from the white interior of its
mouth, which it prominently displays when harassed.
The cottonmouth is a highly aquatic snake, but may be
found within a half-mile of a permanent water body
where it hunts for frogs, fish, and other snakes.
The cottonmouth can easily be mistaken for other, nonpoisonous watersnakes at a glance. Differences can be
observed, however, in the swimming style and behavior.
The cottonmouth’s body floats buoyantly and its head is
held high above the water, whereas the harmless (but aggressive) watersnake generally swims under the water
surface.
Texas Coral Snake
The coral snake is a small, colorful snake identified by its
broad red and black bands that are separated by narrow
yellow bands. Adults average only about 2 ft. long. The
species occupies a variety of dry, wooded habitats in
Texas. However, rock-crevices or fallen leaves or woody
debris are the preferred
microhabitats. Coral
snake venom is the
most poisonous of all
North American
snakes, as poisonous as
a cobra. Few people
are actually bitten by
coral snakes, however,
because their fangs are
too short to penetrate
leather or clothing.
Step 4: Know What To Do In Case Of A Snake Bite
Poisonous snakes contribute very little to human deaths in
the U.S. As a matter of fact, more deaths occur every year
due to lightning strikes, hunting accidents, drowning, or
insect bites than from snake bites. However, snake bites
are a serious medical emergency, and prompt attention is
needed.
If you or someone you know are bitten by a snake that may
be poisonous, or if you are unsure about what kind of
snake it was, follow these steps suggested by the American
Red Cross and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:
1.
Stay calm! This slows the spread of venom and reduces the potential for shock.
2.
Notify Emergency Medical Services immediately, if
possible. Getting to a hospital quickly is the most important step to preventing serious harm.
3.
Remove jewelry, watches, and tight-fitting clothes.
4.
Wash the bite with soap and water. Then cover the
bite with a clean, cool, and moist compress to minimize swelling. If possible, the wound should be kept
lower than the heart.
5.
Reduce or prevent movement of the bitten limb. Use
a splint, if possible.
6.
A suction device may be used over the bite to help
draw venom out of the wound. Suction devices are
often included in commercial snake bite kits.
DO NOT cut or lacerate the bite, since this can cause significant damage and increase the spread of venom. DO
NOT use a tourniquet or other constricting band. DO NOT
freeze the area with dry ice or cold compresses, since this
can increase the area of damaged tissue. DO NOT drink
alcohol or use aspirin to relieve pain (non-aspirin pain relievers are acceptable to use).
Landowner’s Guide: Living with Snakes
Once at the hospital, an antivenin will be used to inactivate the venom. Antivenin is derived from antibodies created in horse blood when the horse is injected with venom
from a particular snake. Individuals that are allergic to
horse products should tell the physician prior to injection
of an antivenin.
Discouraging Snakes From Entering Your Yard
If you absolutely can not abide having snakes around your
house, remove sources of cover near your yard and seal
potential points of access to your house or other buildings.
Snakes will avoid areas that are devoid of appropriate
habitat.
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Eliminate rock piles, brush piles, and areas of tall
grass near your house and yard. Move these important habitat features to other portions of your wildlife
management area.
Store lumber, firewood, and other debris around your
home at least 18 inches off the ground.
Seal potential points of access to homes or other
structures, including openings around water pipes,
electrical outlets, doors, windows, and cracks in foundations. Use 1/4” hardware cloth (metal screen with
1/4” openings) to seal drainage pipes and other openings in masonry.
Unfortunately, no known commercial or homemade
snake repellants are effective at repelling snakes.
Attracting Snakes To Your Property
Creating habitat for snakes in your wildlife management
area can help retain this important piece of the natural environment, even as people move into the area. As mentioned earlier, snakes depend on brush cover, rock piles,
and other cool, moist habitats to rest and hibernate. These
same habitat features also attract potential prey items used
by snakes, including rodents and insects. Try some of the
following ideas to help improve snake habitat on your
property:
‹ Create brush or rock piles away from homes and
yards. Rock piles in sunny areas can be used by
snakes to hibernate during the winter months.
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Create a pond with a shallow, marshy edge and plenty
of emergent vegetation to attract frogs and toads, as
well as snakes.
Establish tall, native grasses in open areas.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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A good on-line field guide for Texas snakes (and other
amphibians and reptiles) can be found at www.lifesci.
utexas.edu/research/txherps. This site is run by the
University of Texas at Austin.
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A Field Guide to Texas Snakes by Alan Tennent is
another great book to help identify snakes. This book
is published by Gulf Publishing, Inc. and a second edition was released in September 2002.
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The Poisonous Snakes of Texas by Dr. Andrew Price,
biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is an excellent reference on the habitat and behavior of poisonous snakes in Texas.
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Junior Naturalist Program has a good website with a FAQ on snake
biology, habitat, and other topics. www.tpwd.state.tx.
us/expltx/jrnat.