Picture this: you’re enjoying a relaxing morning in the backyard when suddenly you hear a rustling in the grass. You look toward the sound and lock eyes with a snake! Now what?
Suddenly, you realize you don’t know what to do if you see a snake. Do you run, or do you approach it? And what do you do after you get back in the house?
Keep reading to find out.
Look for Poisonous Snake Identifiers
First thing’s first, do not go nearer to the snake, especially if you see signs that it might be poisonous. There are a few telltale signs to look out for.
How to Identify a Snake
If the snake has round pupils, for example, it is likely not poisonous. Venomous snakes have slits for eyes, with exceptions for cobras, black mambas, and taipans. Those are only found in Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East, though.
Venomous snakes also have nostrils, pits between their eyes, more triangular heads, and tend to be brighter in color. They may also act more aggressively than non-venomous snakes. If the snake you’re facing seems to be poisonous, you should keep your distance and head for your home.
Give It Space
The snake likely doesn’t want to attack if it doesn’t have to. So, the best course of action is to give it space.
Back away from the snake slowly until you’re back indoors. Once you’re a safe distance, you might want to try and take a photo to further determine what type it is. There might be more where that came from, and it’s good to know what type it is.
Don’t make sudden movements, and don’t move towards the snake even if it’s not poisonous. It could still have teeth, and could latch into you as a move of defense. The snake will likely slither off after you’ve given it space.
Check for Snake Holes
Some snakes make their homes in burrows. If you see a snake in your yard, it’s possible you have a snake burrow or two.
Snake holes look like just that — a small hole burrowed into the ground. If you see a snake slither into one, you know you’re dealing with a snake hole. Snakes may also burrow in hollow trees, under rocks, in ponds and drainage ditches, and even in tall grass.
One tell-tale sign is snakeskin. If you see shed snakeskin around the yard, or by any holes, you may have a snake issue.
Deal With the Snake
If you’re only dealing with one or two snakes, you can simply spray at them with a hose from a distance to get them to slither off.
For snake holes, you may want to call a professional. They’ll be able to wrangle up the snakes safely, relocate them, and fix up the holes. You could also take the advice of The Wildlife Specialist and install a snake fence to keep snakes out for good.
If you only see one snake, you likely don’t have an issue — just a visitor. If you keep seeing snakes, then it’s time to seek professional help.
Knowing What to Do If You See a Snake
Now you know what to do if you see a snake in your backyard. Seeing a snake in your yard can be scary. As long as you practice proper snake safety and take the necessary precautions, though, you have nothing to worry about.
For more informative articles like this, check out the rest of our blog.