Hotter Weather Bringing Out The Snakes In Texas

AUSTIN, TX — The advent of summer with its hotter weather means snakes will be coming out of their shelters for a little sun — including in Central Texas, where the most number of species found in the state dwell. The cold-blooded critters enjoy sunbathing just like the rest of us, but some of these sun worshipers are poisonous and should be avoided at all costs.

Already, stories are emerging across Texas related to unusual snake sightings as the weather has gotten warmer. It hasn't helped matters that recent heavy rains have forced some of the snakes from their usual habitats.

In the North Texas town of Cross Roads, a Walmart shopper was startled last month to find a large rat snake in a shopping cart, as NBC News and other media outlets reported. In the Central Texas town of Granger, a resident told a news station of finding a 7-foot snake in her backyard before it climbed into a wall — a retreat so hasty it didn't allow time to determine whether or not it was poisonous. And in Travis County earlier this month, a rare black-tail rattlesnake was found in Travis County — the first time in 66 years the rare reptile has been spotted in these parts.

Also from Travis County came news of a "hero dog" taking the brunt of a rattlesnake bite to save its owner as she tended to horses at a stable, as Spectrum News reported. Spoiler alert, but good news: Mr. Jones, the brave canine, survived, and is thriving thanks to quick medical attention.

Given the slithery emergence, residents taking to the great outdoors are urged to stay vigilant during outings. This goes for keeping an eye on their unleashed dogs that may come across the sunbathing reptiles as they approach to take a closer look.

In Texas, there are four types of venomous snakes: Coral, copperhead, cottonmouth and rattlesnake. Contrary to popular belief, snakes aren't aggressive creatures. But they will strike back if provoked. But those with a fear of snakes shouldn't freak out as snakes play a key role in the ecosystem as they help control rodent and insect populations.

Some Texans boast of the state being home to the baddest and meanest snakes. To be sure, the Lone Star State is home to a wide diversity of snake life — some 76 species, by one Texas Parks & Wildlife Department count. Yet if one includes both species and non-species, the number of snake varieties grows to 115, the TPW reports.

TPW officials calls this a cornucopia of "snake diversity," noting most of the reptiles are harmless. "The vast majority of Texas' snakes are non-venomous and completely harmless," TWP officials write on their website. "Only 15 percent of the total number are venomous and should be treated with caution and respect."

Bad news for those suffering from Ophidiophobia (abnormal fear of snakes): No part of Texas is free of the slithering subjects of your fear. Of the 254 counties in Texas not one of them is snake free, according to parks and wildlife officials. Fred Gelbach of Baylor University provides estimates on snake population:

• 36 percent of the 68 snake species in Texas are of eastern origin, such as the Eastern hognose snake and the Texas rat snake.
• Another 23 percent are basically western or southwestern in origin, such as the long-nose snake, ground snake and prairie rattlesnake.
• About 14 percent are central U.S. Great Plains species, including the Texas blind snake and the central lined snake.
• 9 percent of snakes found in Texas hail from the Chihuahuan desert region, including the Trans-Pecos rat snake and the rock rattlesnake.

The TPW reports another nine percent are transcontinental species and occur throughout the U.S., including the speckled king snake and several species of garter snakes. Finally, a few snakes, such as the beautiful indigo snake, cat-eyed snake and black-striped snake are essentially tropical species reaching the northern limits of their range in the Tamaulipan region of south Texas, according to the state agency.

TPW officials add there is a single endemic species snake, the Harter's water snake, which consists of two subspecies, found only within the state of Texas. "The Central Texas region has the largest number of species," officials wrote. "As for parts of Texas where there are many individuals, West Texas, Central Texas and South Texas are great places to go to find snakes."

So how do you keep these slithering creatures — venomous or not — from the yard and other parts of your property? Texas Parks and Wildlife officials note that snakes can often be found in residential areas, occasionally showing up in people's backyards. Officials offer tips on discouraging them from dwelling on your property:

• Eliminate rocks piles, brush piles and areas of tall grass.
• Store lumber and wood piles and other debris at least 18 inches off the ground.
• Controlling insect and rodent populations also deters snakes from treating your yard as a buffet given a lack of food supply for them.
• Seal all openings around water pipes, electrical outlets, doors and windows. Any holes in masonry foundations also should be sealed off with mortar. Hardware cloth or sheet metal also can used to seal holes in wooden buildings or siding. "Snakes usually enter a building at or below ground level," TWP officials wrote. "For this reason, all openings around water pipes, electrical outlets, doors and windows should be sealed."
• To keep snakes from coming inside the house or other buildings, seal off all entry points.

Which brings us to the point of addressing steps to take if bitten by a snake. The Mayo Clinic offers valuable tips on the topic. Contrary to popular belief, doctors on the website say you shouldn't apply a tourniquet or apply ice. Also, they advise not to cut the wound in attempting to remove the venom. You're not Rambo or MacGeyver after all.

Read more advice on what to do when bitten by a snake.