NEWS-JOURNAL (Longview, Texas) 01 May 08 Be on the lookout for snakes in East Texas (Chris Smith)
A recent television news story told of how two East Texas women had been bitten by poisonous snakes.
Every year there are numerous accounts of snake bites in our area. These occurrences are usually by accident, and can be avoided if proper care is taken.
Each of the women had been bitten by a Copperhead, one of the four species of venomous snakes found in North America. As luck would have it, East Texas is home to all four species of venomous snakes. We have Water Moccasins, Copperheads, rattlesnakes and coral snakes.
Actually there are more than four (15), but the subspecies of the rattlesnake make up the remainder. Texas is home to roughly 113 species and subspecies of snakes. With only 15 possibilities of the snake being poisonous, chances are good most snakes encountered will be non-poisonous.
The odds of encountering a snake are good if being outdoors is a common practice of yours. There are a few things to watch to make the encounter friendlier for both snake and outdoor enthusiasts.
Spring will usually bring out the snakes of all varieties, including poisonous types. Know this when traveling around your campsite, boat ramps or even back yards and be prepared for the encounter. Many outdoor activities revolve around water. Rivers, lakes and ponds are all great places for Water Moccasins to be found. These snakes make their living in and around the water's edge. Many people confuse banded water snakes with Moccasins and swear they have spotted a six-foot long Moccasin. Although terrific sounding, these folks have probably spotted a banded water snake.
To some it does not matter what kind of snake they encounter, because after the encounter it is a dead snake.
If left alone, any snake will retreat as soon as possible.
Gathering firewood is perhaps the best way to encounter the Copperhead. These snakes hunt rodents, lizards and frogs. They will also reside around wet areas in and around streams or rivers. They will rarely be found in the drier areas. There are three separate subspecies of Copperheads scattered throughout Texas. Most Copperheads will be in the 20- to 30-inch range and can be strikingly colorful when the camper or hiker is expecting them.
The rattlesnake as mentioned before has the most representation of poisonous snakes across the state. From the 18-inch Western Pygmy Rattler of West Texas to the Canebrake Rattler found locally also in bottomlands. Texas is well represented by this group of snakes. Perhaps the best known rattler is the Western Diamondback. These rattlers can reach seven feet in length and are the star attraction of the annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-up.
Coral snakes are also found in the East Texas area but not usually in great numbers. These small snakes (30 inches or less) can be found in bottomlands and coastal prairies. These snakes are best known for their coloration. Everyone has a rhyme to differentiate the coral snake from the non-poisonous varieties with near identical coloring. Remember "Red and yellow: Kill a fellow. Red and black: venom lack."
The best advice to avoid an unwanted encounter with a snake is to "be on the watch for a snake." Be careful where you choose to sit down in the woods, especially during low light periods. Turkey hunters seem to set up in the prime areas for a snake to hide. Spring squirrel hunters should be careful where they place their feet while walking and stalking. Don't put your hands or feet in areas that you cannot see. Rock piles and wood piles will hold one if not more snakes at a time.
Keep your eyes open, and your next encounter with a snake may not be such a bad experience. If you do spot a snake, give them plenty of room and an escape route.
Be on the lookout for snakes in East Texas