Image credit: Evan CarpenterAs reported recently on several local Atlanta news outlets, the seemingly endless rains we’ve experienced this spring and summer have resulted in a slithering side effect: a rise in snake encounters. After years of drought, during which snakes tend to stay in the shade, the wet weather has brought them out in search of food.
Here at Aquascape Environmental, we have anecdotal evidence of the phenomenon: Lake Operations Manager Evan Carpenter reports that he’s personally seen more snakes than usual this year. In fact, he recently had a close call with a copperhead in East Cobb while visiting a client site.
Having more active snakes increases the odds of running across one in your yard or on the lakeshore. We’ve written before about snakes typically found in and around water (read the article here).
Be aware that Georgia law prohibits killing a nonvenomous snake; poisonous snakes should be reported to your local animal control unit. If you spend a lot of time outdoors – even in the suburban outdoors — it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself on how to deal safely with snakes and with basic first aid for snakebites.
