‘Good snake or bad snake?’ Here’s how to coexist with snakes

The weather has warmed up, and that means our slithery reptile neighbors are out of hiding. That’s right, it’s snake season here in Alabama, and the question we see often on social media — usually accompanied by a photo of a snake — is always “Is this a good snake or a bad snake?”

Obviously this question really means, “Is this snake venomous?” But if you ask snake experts, they’ll tell you that no snake is actually a “bad snake.”

‘Good snakes and bad snakes’

Just about all of us have encountered a snake at some point — whether it is in the woods while hiking, in our yards, in the water or just about anywhere (snakes really can hide almost anywhere) — but our lack of knowledge about snakes tends to evoke fear, which often leads to the death of the snake by human means.

Of the 47 species of snake commonly found in Alabama, only six types are venomous snakes: the timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, cottonmouth (or water moccasin), coral snake, eastern diamondback and copperhead.

While fear is certainly the first reaction most people have when seeing a snake, the fact is that snakes — venomous or not — are good for the ecosystem. So in essence, there’s really no such thing as a “bad snake,” per se.

“Sharing our living spaces with wildlife can sometimes be a cause for concern, especially when it comes to encountering snakes. In Alabama, where a diverse range of snake species reside, it’s essential to promote peaceful coexistence between humans and these reptiles.”

Frankie Ferguson, Alabama Snake Removers

Identifying a venous snake

According to a report by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, all snakes can bite (although not all will) and often don’t unless they feel threatened.

Identifying a venomous snake is not particularly easy, however. Here are a few pointers:

• Rattlesnakes: Can be identified by the noise-making rattle located on the tip of the tail that produces a buzzing noise when vibrated.
• Copperheads: Have large triangular, brown heads with two small spots on the top, pupils with slits, and tan-colored bodies with hourglass-shaped details running along the body.
• Water moccasins: Can be completely brown or black, have dark bands running along a brown or yellowish body, and adults typically retain a darker color than the more brightly colored juvenile snakes.
• Coral snakes: Often misidentified, these snakes have black and yellow bands alternating throughout the entire body. Use the phrase “red on yellow, you’re a dead fellow. Red on black, you’re okay, Jack” to easily distinguish between common imitators.

Chivon Morse, who is the wildlife curator for Ruffner Mountain Park in Birmingham, said while snakes can be startling, simply killing the snake one might find in the yard might not be the best action.

“All snakes, venomous and non-venomous alike, play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem. They do an amazing job in helping keeping the rodent population down, which is extremely helpful especially in urban environments.”

Chivon Morse, Ruffner Mountain Park

Calling animal control or a snake removal service is a better option than killing the snake, Morse said. Also, there are steps you can take to help prevent snakes from coming into your yard:

• Keep grass cut short. Snakes like to hide, and will not cross open and exposed areas if they can help it.
• Properly store outdoor equipment, tools, and playthings and check thoroughly before using. Snakes like to hide in these places, so clean and open area with no place to hide is not a favorite haunt of snakes.
• Keep food opportunities down. Snakes go where the food is. Anything that can attract rodents will eventually attract snakes.

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