These snakes are fossorial which means they mostly live underground. The Northern black racer once used to be found across the entire state. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. Common name: Smooth earth snake, rough earth snake. Alabamians are so lucky to have the amount of snakes and biodiversity that we do. . This includes venomous snakes of the Rattlesnake genus. While not venomous, these snakes should be avoided as they are known to be aggressive. The southern hognose snake is considered to be a . These snakes are perceived as not docile and they should be avoided. As long as you know how to react, an encounter with one of Alabamas 6 venomous snakes is not necessarily dangerous. Copperheads are carnivores and live quite well eating mice, small snakes, small birds, and lizards. As the name says, this stout snake is gray in color with gray blotches covering its body. A timber rattlesnake is one of the most venomous snakes of Alabama. An increase of predatory animals in the snake has started to diminish the numbers of Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes in Alabama. A lighter to darker cross-banding pattern may be seen, especially on the sides. These snakes can bite and they often vibrate their tails before biting. Their constriction is so strong that prey often suffocates. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is another that is now extremely rare in the state of Alabama. Snakes of the genus stand out with their reddish color and dark red crossbands across their bodies. During walks in the woods, wear closed-toe shoes and long pants . Scientific name: Diadophis punctatus punctatus. Common garter snakes are known to be resistant to the toxicity of toads and other amphibians they eat. Female Eastern earth snakes dont lay eggs. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Female Gulf salt marsh snakes are known for bearing live young. Two venomous snakes who call Alabama home are even considered endangered, while the copperhead is one of the most encountered. At night, these snakes may still come out around water sources to look for fish and amphibians. They do not have venom but they possess a type of venomous saliva that can immobilize small prey such as lizards. All Rights Reserved. Its around water that the Yellowbelly water snake finds its prey. what other lakes are spring mountain water fed near lake Weiss? Snakes are found in all regions in Alabama, from the northern mountains to the Gulf Coast. These snakes get their name from their banded body look. As adults, these snakes can measure anywhere between 2.5 and 3 feet. They can be seen looking for prey or simply resting on vegetation around water or overhanging vegetation. The natural threats to this snake include raccoons, skunks, and opossums. This snake species is both diurnal and nocturnal. The state of Alabama lies in the southeastern part of the US. Mostly gray in coloration, these snakes are quite small and have tiny rattles that can barely be heard. The Southern water snake also has a dark stripe extending from the eye to the corner of its mouth. These water snakes prefer smaller bodies of water and spend most of their time feeding on crayfish. However, only about five end up being fatal. Unlike many water snakes in Alabama, Black rat snakes are rather docile and not aggressive towards humans. Scientific name: Storeria dekayi wrightorum. This snake species is among those that can climb even if its prey is mainly situated on ground level. Like others of their genus, these snakes can also rattle. Learn more about Alabamas 6 venomous snakes and how to react if you encounter one in the wild. Scientific name: Lampropeltis getula getula, Common name: Eastern kingsnake, common kingsnake, chain kingsnake. Humans are rarely bitten by this snake. There are 9 venomous snake species in Alabama. However, they also have many natural predators. This includes rodents they find on abandoned farmland. These rings are red, yellow, and black or dark brown. Alabama is one of the states where its not difficult to find a snake. This is mainly due to good medical care as antivenom is given to those bitten by the snake regardless of the amount of venom the snake inserted. As the Scarlet kingsnake, the Eastern milk snake is known for its tricolored body. The Midwestern worm snake is highly similar to the Eastern worm snake. They look like a regular Ringneck snake with a yellow-colored ring around the neck and a yellow underbelly. Lighter areas of the body include the underbelly and the area around the mouth. Apart from eating other species, the Eastern kingsnake also lives in the same pit with venomous snakes. Such behavior can deter some types of predators that are known not to eat dead snakes. These snakes are insectivores which means they only eat insects and bugs. The timber rattlesnake is one of Alabama's most venomous snakes. Some Scarlet kingsnakes have also been seen eating young snakes of other species. Marsh brown snakes are also small species similar to the Northern brown snake. I have a sister who moved to the Lake and enjoyed a wonderful family get-together. The cottonmouth is found throughout the state of Alabama but is most common in the Coastal Plain Swamps. Sothern-banded water snakes also live next to lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. According to Dan Self, Zoological Manager of Reptiles at the Birmingham Zoo, snake encounters do not have to end in the death of the snake or an injury to the person who spots the snake. They carry live young Eastern earth snakes which are born in the summer. This snake can be seen in woodlands, swamps, and agricultural areas known for a high rodent population. Scientific name: Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum, Common name: Adder,blatschich schlange, chain snake, checkered adder, checkered snake, chequered adder, chequered snake, chicken snake, common milk snake, cow-sucker, highland adder, horn snake, house snake, king snake, leopard-spotted snake, milk sucker, pilot, red snake, sachem snake, sand-king, scarlet milk snake, spotted adder, thunder-and-lightning snake, Eastern milk snake. Its believed this species is both diurnal and nocturnal. . They can sometimes eat worms as well. Scientific name: Pantherophis guttatus guttatus. These snakes arent venomous but they can bite. There are Broad-banded water snakes that are still crossbanded but these crossbands arent visible as theyre also darker in color than the rest of the body. Common name: Mississippi green water snake. Here are a couple of tips to make your yard less ideal for snakes. The bites mostly occur from April to October when most people are outdoors due to the warm weather. Spiders and centipedes are among the preferred prey for the fossorial snake. It represents the most widespread venomous species in the state. The snake is primarily identified through its short body. They are known to spend most of their lives underground. Other snakes in the state prefer urban settings such as Birmingham city while others seek sparsely populated areas. It first hisses or flattens its head into an attacking position as an initial warning sign before biting. Mostly black, these snakes may have a slightly gray color on their bellies. Dont put your hands or feet anywhere that you cannot fully see. Snakes of this genus are a subspecies of the Northern water snake, not found in Alabama. Snakes with high conservation concern are the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, prairie kingsnake, eastern kingsnake, speckled kingsnake, eastern coral snake, northern pine snake, Florida pine snake, and North Florida swamp snake. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Scientific name: Storeria dekayi limnetes. It can be seen in marshes. As its name suggests, the snake is mostly black or dark-colored. This young eastern indigo snake, found in the Conecuh National Forest in south Alabama in January 2020, is the . The cottonmouth thrives quite well in aquatic areas by feeding on fish, turtles, small snakes, baby alligators, and even lizards. With the right medical attention, almost all people can survive its bite. They have a slender green body with off-white stripes that run from head to tail. Hawks, owls, raccoons, and other snakes are the pigmy rattlesnakes natural enemies and may be contributing to their decrease in numbers. Want to learn even more about Alabamas snakes? All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. The fact is that all snakes, venomous and non-venomous alike, play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem, namely keeping the rodent population down, which is extremely helpful especially in urban environments. Only four species of venomous snakes can be found in the Birmingham area. These are areas with plenty of abandoned buildings such as farmland and old homes. Known for the scales on their bodies, snakes come in all shapes and all colors. These dark-colored snakes are known to live in an expanded habitat. Finding a snake in Alabama isnt a difficult task. The snakes seek shelter in rocks, wood piles, and under vegetation. The full-grown alligators can, and did, make it through the colder north Alabama winters and a population of them has managed to hang on in the Tennessee River 37 years after the U.S. Its known for a thick rather short body as it grows to a maximum length of 29 inches. Weiss Lake, a 30,200 acre impoundment owned and operated by the Alabama Power Company, is fed by the Coosa, Chattooga and Little Rivers, and offers over 447 miles of shoreline and shallow flats, large coves, under-water drop offs and deep channels. They make the most of their long thick bodies to constrict mammals, gophers, and other small animals. Blotched in appearance, the snake is fairly large as it grows up to 40 inches. Although Ive never had a bad experience with them, seeing one sent shivers down my spine. It can be seen during the summer when it looks for fish. It prefers fish as prey but it can also eat amphibians. Often killed due to the Corn snake-Cottonmouth confusion, snakes of these species are some of the smartest in Alabama. Snakes of the family are mostly known for eating amphibians. Unlike lizards they lack limbs, external ear openings and eyelids. Prairie kingsnakes eat a combination of rodents and either lizards or frogs, depending on their environment. They are known to have wide differences in coloring depending on their habitat and their sex. The Northern pine snake is one of the partially-communal snakes in Alabama. Now that we've cleared that up, here are the six venomous snakes of Alabama: Copperheads are most common venomous snake in Alabama Copperheads are the most commonly encountered venomous. They have a dark green-gray body with brown blotches. The Eastern copperhead snake is also known simply as Copperhead. Common name: Brown water snake, water-pilot, aspic, false moccasin, great water snake, pied water snake, Southern water snake, water rattle. However, Queen snakes are almost exclusively feeding on crayfish, particularly on young crayfish that dont know how to properly defend themselves. This species is not as widespread throughout the state as initially thought. This species actively hunts rats and other rodents across any type of environment they are found in Alabama. Female Florida banded water snakes are known for laying up to 57 eggs at once. The mating season results in the female laying a cluster of eggs in rotten logs. These are typically a cluster of up to 8 eggs that hatch within weeks. These bites arent necessarily fatal. Snakes of this genus are considered adaptable, given they live in different types of habitats. Known for the diamond patterns on their back and the rattles on their tails, this snake is a pit viper that feeds on most small creatures. However, this snake doesnt bite without warning. Listed below is a guide to help you identify snakes by predominant color. Up first, lets take a look at the venomous snakes in Alabama. Rough green snakes are very good climbers, this is why they are often seen on trees. A large number of snakes, both venomous species, and non-venomous species call Alabama their home. These snakes are known to grow to a size between 3 and 5 feet. Antivenin is used to treat bites from venomous snakes. If you find one on your property and are truly concerned, call a professional wildlife removal service.". DESCRIPTION: The Southern water snake is a non-venomous snake normally less than 4 feet in length. Bobcats, hawks, and even coyotes are among the predators who will attack and eat young timber rattlesnakes. It prefers not to engage in a confrontation. Some reports show the Southeastern crown snake might also eat snails occasionally. It is also a recreational lake with fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass, hybrid bass, and white bass. The eastern hognose snake can vary in colors with most being mostly black, grey, or olive color. These snakes are also well-loved by snake enthusiasts who consider them a great pet to own. Cozy Bear Paradise on Weiss Lake in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Known to eat worms, the Eastern worm snake is affected by insecticide and all types of land-related human activities. Weiss Lake, Alabama Fishing. The Florida green water snake is the largest North American native water snake in Alabama. They are also seen eating lizards at times, which means their habitat expands from prairies and farmland to areas near water. Scientific name: Carphophis amoenus amoenus. The male is known to insert a copulatory plug in the female after mating. This type of fossorial snake is known for living in the ground. This body of water covers approximately 30,000 acres of surface area. It prefers to live next to water sources, as its name implies. This stops other males from mating with a mated female. "There are a lot of 'tricks' or 'hacks' that people do and suggest, to differentiate dangerous snakes from harmless ones, but most of those 'tricks' are subjective, inaccurate, or require getting up-close to the animal," Self told Patch. The Northern Florida swamp snake is a small species also found in Alabama. Theyre known to differ from regular Northern Cottonmouths through a few black lines across the snout. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Raptor, High Rope Course and Zipline Tickets, Wheeler Lake KOA, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Tour in Sheffield Alabama, Florence, Muscle Shoals Multi-Attraction Pass, Cherokee County Home of Beautiful Weiss Lake. Rodents are among its favorite types of prey as its easy to constrict. Snakes of the genus are known for living in tropical hammocks but their range expands through the state. It can sometimes be seen in the warm months (anywhere from May to October). These snakes prefer a diet of small rodents, chipmunks, shrews, and even squirrels. Some Carolina pigmy rattlesnakes are very aggressive while others dont react when seeing people. Snakes of this species are best avoided. Alabama is home to six venomous snakes. Scientific name: Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster. Scarlet kingsnakes are tricolored nonvenomous snakes in Alabama. Weiss Lake is owned and operated by the Alabama Power Company. The venom of the species is dangerous but not fatal. Scientific name: Nerodia fasciata pictiventris. And while. Eastern cottonmouth ( Agkistrodon piscivorus) are large, aquatic, venomous snakes. This snake grows to a size between 35 and 48 inches and it has a black body with a black head. click on the picture or name to find out more information about each. Young Western mud snakes remain terrestrial for at least a few months or they can decide to enter water as soon as they hatch. Lake Weiss (pronounced "Wice") is an Alabama Power Company hydroelectric impoundment covering 30,200 acres in northeast Alabama on the Alabama - Georgia border. Its venom isnt the most dangerous and its not considered lethal. They can be seen after the rain when they come out to eat salamander. The colour of this snake varies, but you can expect to find yellow, pink, and black variations of colour on this snake. These snakes also exhibit toxic saliva. Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). If all deterring tactics fail this snake resorts to playing dead, similarly to the Eastern hognose snake. The snake is known to roll over and lay motionless with an open mouth and its tongue hanging out of the mouth. It can often be seen around public roads near forests. Aquatic Snakes: typically can be found in and around different water bodies in Alabama. Females of the species lay up to 5 eggs under rotten logs in the mating season. Scientific name: Lampropeltis getula holbrooki. Snakes of the genus are known to guide themselves by smell. They inhabit swamps where they also consume a wide range of amphibians. As with all snakes that have toxic saliva, the bite of the Common garter snake can be unpleasant. Putting yourself in a position to kill a snake is THE most dangerous thing that you could do.. However, they only live up to 4 years. Pine woods snakes are known for having a plain color without blotches. This species is easy to find throughout the state, but enjoy staying in areas where terrains meet such as baselines of swamps. The Eastern hognose snake is known for living in almost all areas toads and frogs live. Toads are known to be toxic to other animals. Common name: Banded water snake, Southern water snake, Southern banded water snake. It lives in sandy terrains further South but in Alabama it may be seen around woodlands and marshes. Types of Snakes in Alabama - Identification Guide 1. Both the young and the adult snakes are also called Stinging snakes. Northern redbelly snakes are good pet snakes. Eastern kingsnakes are very good constrictors. Weiss Lake 05-20-2023. These snakes are identified by their red-orange body with white bands with black borders. Additionally, studies suggest that environments with Timber Rattlesnakes have reduced tick populations. Female Florida green water snakes give birth to live young. Ideal for life in any of the states terrain, these snakes prefer to feed on mostly toads and salamanders but dont mind adding small mammals and birds to their list. However, these dry bites are often deflections as research suggests Eastern coral snakes cannot control the amount of venom they insert with each bite. Gray rat snakes are common around populated areas as this is where many rats live. This snake is best-known for enjoying the northern areas of Alabama but has been encountered far less over the past few years. Snakes like to hide. These are still dangerous and they can cause side effects. The state provides the ideal habitat for various snake species. As their name implies, snakes of the genus look like worm snakes as they might grow to a maximum length of 10-11 inches. Very shallow. Lengths up to 5 feet have been reported. Pine woods snakes are some of the most secretive snakes in Alabama. Additionally, if you find a snake on your propertyask yourself why the snake is there. Females are known to bear live young. The snakes also live in flood plains, hilly regions, and along the edges of swamps. Eastern earth snakes eat spiders, flies, bugs, and worms. . These snakes most commonly eat mice, lizards, small birds, and frogs. Snakes in Alabama primarily inhabit forested areas as well as abandoned farms. Snakes of the genus are tied to loose terrain and even to sandy terrains. Its best not to handle them. They grow up to 22 inches and they are known to be smaller than the typical Rattlesnake. Speckled kingsnakes are adapted to living next to water or in high humidity areas as well as further out from the water. Copperheads are also known for dry bites which practically insert no venom. Also, Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham has these suggestions in regard to snake prevention: guide on how to identify different kinds of snakes. Its believed this helps protect the eggs of each female. They are known to be avid predators as they consume almost any small animal they can overpower. The striped bass population primarily consist of 3-7 pound fish, but fish over 25 pounds have been caught as well. Snakes of the genus are known to live next to the water and theyre also known for eating fish. The pale green Eastern coachwhip is very active at night. Snakes of this genus eat slugs and snails. They are believed to be secretive species as they live underground. 32000 surface area (acres) 62 max. As its name suggests, this snake is black or almost completely black. Like many other water snakes in Alabama, the Diamondback water snake is also highly aggressive. These snakes are also known to be found in clean waters where crayfish are found in larger numbers. "The best way to recognize a venomous snake is to become familiar with which species of venomous snakes are found in the area.". Pet food attracts rodents, which then attracts snakes. It bites people when they get in its range. This gray patterned snake is venomous, but not dangerous to people or pets. Snakes of the genus are common in forests, especially hardwood forests. Snakes of the genus are excellent predators often feeding on young snakes of other species. Generally, a fearful species, this snake tries to escape when seeing people. People are generally fearful of snakes, and they resort to killing the reptile upon encounter. are there homes where folks can live yr. round? People should stay away from this snake as it knows how to look for prey and how to bite properly through experience.
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