Summer is in the air, school is out and nature is in full swing, especially the snakes. As families venture outdoors to soak up the sunshine and enjoy the long, warm days, it’s worth remembering that we’re not the only ones making the most of the season.
Snakes, like many other wildlife species, become especially active during this time of year. Whether you're hiking a trail, working in the yard or letting the kids run free at the park, staying alert and aware of your surroundings can help you safely share the outdoors with the creatures that call it home.
When Are Snakes Most Active
Once average temperatures start to rise, snakes begin to emerge from their winter inactivity. During the day, they typically seek out spots where temperatures range from 73 to 88 degrees. When the heat climbs above 90 degrees, snakes tend to avoid the daytime sun, becoming more active during cooler hours, at dawn and dusk (crepuscular) or even at night (nocturnal).
As North Texas continues to grow and more people move into undeveloped areas, snake encounters are becoming increasingly common.
What Types of Snakes are in North Texas
The North Texas region is home to more than 30 species of snakes, part of the 68 species found across the state. Most of these snakes are harmless and nonvenomous. The Texas rat snake is the most commonly encountered species in the region and can often grow to over five feet in length. These snakes play a vital role in keeping rodent populations in check, and their presence usually signals a healthy supply of prey in the area.
Other frequently seen snakes in Dallas include the western ribbon snake and the Texas brown snake, both of which primarily feed on earthworms and snails. Water snakes are also common in North Texas lakes, rivers and creeks. The most frequently spotted species are the nonvenomous blotched water snake and the diamondback water snake. If a water source supports frogs, it’s likely to attract one or both of these snakes.
North Texas is also home to four species of venomous snakes: copperheads (including the Southern copperhead and the broad-banded copperhead), Western diamondback rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and the Texas coral snake.
"Pretty much any snake native to North Texas can be found in our parks here in Plano,” Plano Natural Resources Superintendent Kym Hughes told Local Profile.
Because snakes play an essential role in the ecosystem, it’s important to be able to tell the difference between harmless species and those that pose a threat.
How To Stay Safe
Avoiding snakes is simple: keep your distance and don’t try to handle or harm them. Many snake bites occur when people attempt to kill or catch them. If you’re walking with a dog, the best safety measure is to keep it leashed and under control.
If you find a snake in your backyard near pets or kids, keep your distance. Local wildlife control or societies such as the Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society can be called to remove an animal if it does not leave on its own.
If you encounter a snake, use the link here to help identify the species.
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