The Summer of Snakes

It’s no secret that it’s hot outside in Houston. But what might sneak up on local residents could catch them a bit off guard.

Snakes – in your lawns, in your neighbor’s shrubs, even in trash. You name it – they are there. This heat wave has left many snakes without food and places to live, and more are turning up in residential areas than ever before. Their watering holes have dried up and they have no choice but to move - or they’ll die.

Stan Mays, our snake curator, was recently interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about this heat wave snake phenomenon and offers up some helpful pointers in case you encounter one at home.

1. There are a lot of snakes in Houston, most people just don’t see them. The good thing is that most aren’t venomous, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bite.
   
   
2. Snakes serve a very vital function in the natural world, serving as important controllers of the rodent population.  Mays says that the best thing to do if you see one in the wild is to “leave it alone, give it a wide berth, and walk around it.”
   
   
3. Snakes go where food is. Keep your lawn mowed and trash collected. This helps keep rodents away, and in turn, snakes.
   
   
4. Be aware of your surroundings and if you by chance get bitten by a snake, seek out a doctor.
   

The Houston Zoo always encourages fair and humane
treatment of all animals, even snakes.