Seeing more snakes in Floyd? Radford expert explains the early autumn surge
One thing to remember while snakes are more active is that “if a snake suddenly moves toward you, don't assume it's chasing you. Snakes don’t chase people."
If you've been hearing about an uptick of snakes around Floyd, you are not alone. Radford University Professor Matt Close said that there is some truth to the idea that you're more likely to see snakes this time of year.
Close, who is also the treasurer of the Virginia Herpetological Society, said that it isn't just one type of snake, such as copperheads, that is on the move. “We are at the end of the summer and the beginning of fall, and they are starting to find hibernacula (a safe place to hibernate) for the winter,” Close said. “It’s kind of their last burst of activity, so there will be more snakes about.”
Close noted that there is another reason people may be noticing more snakes right now: babies. Many Virginia snake species hatch or are born in late August and early September.
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“A lot of people will see a lot of juveniles,” Close said. A typical litter can range from just a couple of snakes to as many as 25, depending on the species. “You don’t really have to look far in Floyd,” Close said. He explained that Floyd has a mixture of hardwood forests, farmland, and what biologists call "edge habitats," places where different types of habitat meet — all of which provide places where snakes can regulate their body temperature and, eventually, spend the winter.
One thing to remember while snakes are more active is that “if a snake suddenly moves toward you, don't assume it's chasing you. Snakes don’t chase people,” Close said.
A snake that appears to be coming toward someone is usually trying to get somewhere else, often a close hiding place. “If you’re the thing standing between them and a house that has a good hiding spot, they’re going to go to the good hiding spot first,” he explained.
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If snakes aren't your favorite home visitors, Close said there are some simple things homeowners can do to make their property less attractive to them.
“The biggest one is cleaning up potential hiding places,” which Close said means moving piles of wood, sticks, trash, and other debris away from homes. Plus, Close added, fix any loose siding, cracks, or other openings snakes — particularly younger ones — could squeeze through. He noted a quarter-inch opening can be enough for some snakes to get through.
If a snake does decide to move in with you this winter, Close said not to pick it up yourself. He recommends calling a wildlife relocator or another qualified professional to remove it.
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While they're not everyone's favorite critters, there are many benefits to having snakes near your house, including rodent control. However, it is important to be able to identify the helpful from the potentially harmful.
“One problem this time of year is that young snakes can be difficult to identify," Close said. "Many juvenile snakes have strong patterns that disappear or change as they grow. That can lead people to mistake harmless snakes for venomous ones. Black racers, for example, are patterned when they're young, (and) water snakes can also be banded. Again, the banding is just one method of identification.”
A Northern Black Racer juvenile (left) and adult (right). Photos Courtesy of Virginia Herpetological Society
In Floyd, there are two species of venomous snakes residents need to know about: copperheads and timber rattlesnakes. Close said there are no cottonmouths in this part of Virginia.
“Timber rattlesnakes are fairly easy to recognize because of their rattle," Close said. "Copperheads are another story. They are extremely well-camouflaged and can disappear into leaves and other debris. When they're on pavement, a porch, or another surface without natural camouflage, their markings are easier to see."
Copperheads have a distinctive hourglass pattern. The bands are wide along the sides and narrow across the top of the back, creating the hourglass shapes when viewed from above. Close cautions against trying to get close to a snake just to identify it. “If you can’t 100% identify it, you probably shouldn’t go and try to touch it,” he said.
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Close said that anyone interested in becoming better at identifying Virginia's snakes should check out the Virginia Herpetological Society. The organization's website has information on every snake species found in Virginia, including photographs, species profiles, distribution maps, and information about their biology.
For Close, he said, understanding snakes and their habits is simply about being a good neighbor, to people and to wildlife.
