Snakes
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The eyes of non-venomous snakes, like this brown snake, have round pupils, unlike those of venomous snakes, which have cat-like pupils with vertical slits. (Photo courtesy of Robert Lewis)
When people sometimes see snakes in or around their homes, they usually worry about whether the snakes are dangerous. Knowledge about snakes will help you understand how to handle situations when snakes are encountered. For your safety in managing snake problems around your home, it is important to be able to identify snakes as venomous (poisonous) or nonvenomous (nonpoisonous) types.
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Removing items that provide shelter and eliminating common food sources for snakes around your house will help reduce the chances of encountering a snake.
Snakes, like other wildlife, need a suitable place to live and enough food to eat. If the area around your home checks these boxes, they may take up residence there. These tips can help reduce the chances of a surprise encounter with a snake around you house.
Six of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi are venomous. Although the risk of a venomous snake bite is low, it can happen. It’s important to know the difference between venomous and nonvenomous snakes.
In my opinion, snakes are not cute and cuddly like some other wildlife, such as rabbits and baby deer. However, they do an important job in nature and benefit humans by controlling pests, including mice and insects, that can spread disease and damage property.
Snakes do not seek out humans, but we can and do come across them. If you happen to encounter one, it’s unlikely it will bite unless it feels threatened or you surprise it.
