By Laurene Hall
University of Georgia
This is the time of year when Extension Offices around the state
get calls about snakes.
Though unable to tolerate extreme cold or hot temperatures,
snakes will move during summer evenings, especially after a rain.
Snakes eat insects, fish, amphibians, birds, rodents, eggs and
other reptiles. And many snakes eat nuisance animals, too.
One rat snake can eat three rats every two weeks. Clearly one
snake can significantly impact an ecosystem by reducing the
potential for serious diseases like hanta virus or Lyme disease.
At the first sign of danger, or human contact, snakes will
usually flee. Most snakes strike in defense as a last resort.
No sure way to tell the difference
Non-venomous snakes are generally harmless. Unfortunately, there
is no single rule to use to tell the difference between a
venomous snake and a poisonous snake.
Head or pupil shape has not been confirmed as a sure
distinction.
Here are details on a few non-venomous snake species commonly
found in Georgia.(The University of Georgia Savannah River
Ecology Laboratory is the source of this information.)
King snakes are found in a wide variety of
habitats.
Adults can reach four feet in length. Eastern king snakes are
black with light yellow or whitish crossbands. The black
kingsnake, found in northwestern Georgia, is black with scattered
flecks of yellow. The belly is a combination of black and yellow.
They feed on the regular snake fare and other snakes, including
venomous species. King snakes are immune to the venom of
rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads.
Water snakes are found in aquatic
environments. However, some
species have been spotted several hundred feet away from water.
They aren’t cottonmouths
Water snakes often grow to a length of four feet and are light
brown on top with darker squares on the back and sides. The brown
water snake is the most common and is often mistaken for the
venomous cottonmouth. This snake frequently basks on tree limbs
that overhang the water. Brown water snakes feed almost
exclusively on fish.
Garter snakes are found in habitats that are
damp, although not
necessarily near permanent water. They are usually less than two
feet long, but can get longer.
They have three yellow longitudinal stripes on a dark body. They
have black lines on their lip scales.
Although this pattern is common, some garter snakes in Georgia
have a checkered body pattern with poorly defined stripes and a
grayish body color. Their bellies are white or light yellow. This
species gives birth to live young, sometimes having more than 50
babies. Garter snakes feed on fish, small reptiles and
amphibians.
Also known as ‘chicken snakes’
Rat snakes are most often found in wooded or
swampy areas. Adults
grow to more than four feet in length.
Coastal species are olive with four dark stripes on their backs.
Inland species range from black to light gray or brown. They feed
on birds, rats, mice and squirrels. They are know as “chicken
snakes” in farming areas because they readily eat caged chickens.
Brown snakes are found in woodlands and
swampy areas. But it’s
one of the most common species found in residential areas, where
they are often spotted in and around debris.
It seldom grows to more than a foot in length. Its color varies
from brown or gray to dark brown.
They feed on earthworms, slugs and salamanders. When threatened,
they curl their upper lips upwards, making their mouths look
larger.
Black racers are found in a wide variety of
habitats. Racers are
frequently seen crossing highways during the day. Adults are
usually slender, three to five feet long and black except for a
white chin.
They feed on frogs, rodents, birds, lizards and insects.
To avoid all snake species, be cautious when gardening and
performing lawn chores. You can also limit your encounters with
snakes by not creating habitats for them in your yard.
For more information on snakes commonly found in Georgia, consult
your local county Extension Service office.
