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.
