19/08/2024
🐍 August & September are considered "baby snake season" in Georgia for venomous snakes. A few things to note before everyone starts to freak out:
- Not every snake is a copperhead or cottonmouth
- It is illegal to kill non-venomous snakes in the state of Georgia
- Juvenile copperheads do not release more venom than adults, nor is their venom more potent. I know your aunt's great grandma said it's true, but it's a myth.
- You are most likely to get bit by a snake while trying to kill it. Snakes want to avoid humans as much as you want to avoid snakes. They do not chase people. No, they don't.
- You can spray a snake with water to get it to move along.
- Mothballs do not keep snakes away and are actually harmful for the environment.
- Just because you find a baby snake does not mean that more babies are nearby or that mama is close. Snakes typically disperse once they are born.
- Most egg laying snakes are non-venomous
- Copperheads have live births and are born with a bright yellow/green tail
- Patterns of juveniles can be different than how they appear as adults. *What kind of snake do you think is in this photo?
- NEVER try to determine if a snake is venomous by the head or pupil shape. Non venomous snakes can have a triangular head shape when in a defensive posture.
- All native snakes play a key role in our ecosystem.
- If you don't want your dogs to get bitten, keep your dogs on a leash so they are close to you and not getting themselves into trouble snooping around. 🐾
- Join this page so you can post and receive a quick, educated response on snake species when needed: https://www.facebook.com/groups/197457903938111/
- If you need to have a snake relocated, visit this page: https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=36.2931146484475%2C-95.11182142500003&z=3
- GWN does have a limited number of volunteer snake handlers. You are welcome to reach out to us but there is a larger population of people to assist in the groups mentioned above.
Photo from Reddit
