Snake Identification & Prevention In Alabama & Florida

Frequently Asked Questions About Snakes

What are snakes?

Snakes are a type of legless reptile with scales covering their long, cylindrical body, which typically tapers at the tail end. They are predators and feed on a wide variety of small animal prey, including rodents. Snakes are eco-important as they help reduce the number of disease-carrying and damaging rodents—snakes can be a gardener’s or farmer’s best friend. Being a predator, they have some physical features that help them hunt and consume their prey more easily: teeth that face inward to trap prey and jaws that can completely unhinge.

Are snakes dangerous?

One of the biggest threats that snake pose for many people is stress. People are afraid of these slithering pests that hide in dark areas of our yards and sometimes our homes. Snakes often frighten people because they are so good at hiding; there is usually no warning before you find yourself facing one.

Depending on their size and species, some snakes can be dangerous to people and pets. In our area, those that have venom are most dangerous to us. If bitten, not only is the bite itself painful, but the toxins in the venom are strong enough to cause health problems in people that require medical attention.

Though there is good news about snakes, most living in our yards and gardens are harmless. However, you should still take care around snakes as any species can deliver painful bites if they feel threatened.

Why do I have a snake problem?

Snakes are cold-blooded, meaning that their temperature is regulated externally; to get warmer, they move into the sun; to get cooler, they move into the shade. The warm temperatures found in Alabama and Florida allow snakes to stay warm and active throughout much of the year.

Snakes will become a problem on any property that provides them with places to hide and plenty of prey to hunt. If you have a lot of rodents or other small animals living on or near your property, you will most likely have snakes around hunting them.

Where will I find snakes?

Snakes are typically an outdoor problem; they live outside in dense vegetation, debris, or clutter that they can hide in. Most snakes living in our area are active during the day, going back to their hiding spots or burrows at night to sleep.

Some of their favorite place to curl up include:

• Ground holes
• Woodpiles
• Rock walls
• Dense shrubbery
• Under logs or fallen trees
• In or between boxes stored in garages and outbuildings
• In vegetation near ponds, rivers, or lakes
• Next to foundations or near pavement or sidewalks

Snakes in our area mainly stay outside, but they sometimes move into homes or garages through gaps in the foundation, vents, spaces under doors, or through open doors. They usually move inside, to find warmer living conditions or while in search of prey.