Snakes Of North America

Image of eastern diamondback rattlesnake

Snakes are reptiles found primarily in tropical areas of the world. Iceland, Greenland, New Zealand, Ireland, and Antarctica are the only places on the planet without snakes. They are cold-blooded reptiles that regulate their body temperature by absorbing heat from the sun and their surroundings.

There are about 3,000 different types of snakes, with about 375 of them being venomous. In the United States, there are 126 different types of snakes, but only 19 of them are dangerous to humans. Snakes are abundant in a wide range of colors and patterns. Bright colors serve as a warning to predators that they should stay away from venomous snakes.

Learn More: Household Pests Known To Attack

Description Of Snakes In The U.S.

Photo of copperhead snake

Snakes can be as small as a worm or as long as several feet. Scales, which can be smooth or ridged, cover their skin. A snake’s belly scales (called scutes) are thicker than those on its sides and back to provide protection while moving.

Snakes differ from other reptiles in several ways. They lack limbs, eyelids that move, and ear openings. Most nonvenomous snakes have two rows of teeth in the upper jaw and one row in the lower jaw. The teeth are curved backward to aid in the capture of fleeing prey. Snakes with venomous fangs have grooved or hollow fangs that inject venom into their prey. Snakes have joints in their skulls that allow them to swallow large prey.

Snakes have multiple sets of ribs on the inside to support their length. Their ribs are flexible, which allow prey to move easily through their body. Furthermore, a snake’s organs are long and narrow to fit inside the body cavity. Snakes move in various ways, including the well-known undulating crawl (slithering), side-winding, and an accordion-like movement for climbing trees.

Snakes rely on their senses of touch and smell to survive. Their forked tongues transport small air particles to the roof of the mouth, where an organ detects odors. Snakes don’t have ears, but they have an ear bone that can detect sound wave vibrations.

Typical Snake Behavior

Snakes only bite prey when they’re hungry, and they’ll only try to bite a human if they’re in danger. A scared snake will almost always try to flee if at all possible. If there isn’t enough time to flee or if a snake feels cornered, it may try to defend itself by striking. Snakes with poison glands in their upper jaws have two fangs that can pierce their prey’s flesh, while poison glands pump poison through grooves inside or outside the fangs.

When hunting, some poisonous snakes inject toxins into their prey and wait until it stops struggling before eating it. Snake venom is used as a feeding aid in this case, as it both subdues the prey and aids in its digestion.

Non-venomous constrictors (such as boas, pythons, and anacondas) snare their prey in their jaws and quickly coil their bodies around it, squeezing it and preventing it from breathing. The prey suffocates and dies as a result of the constriction; its bones are rarely broken.

Snake Habitats

Snakes are a type of animal that can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Snake species vary by continent and are influenced by climate and food availability. Snakes are cold-blooded animals that avoid living in extremely cold environments such as Antarctica and Iceland. Jungles, deserts, water, and undergrounds are all places where they can be found.

Dangers Of Snakes

The most dangerous aspect of having snakes on your property is the possibility of being bitten. Most snakes won’t attack unless they feel threatened. Most snake bites near human houses occur by accident. Many homeowners are bitten just walking through their yard. Pets and children are often bit due to their curiosity. If you suspect that your yard is infested with snakes, watch where you step to ensure you’re not bitten. Contact a wildlife removal professional right away to make your yard a safe place to enjoy. 

Top 10 Most Dangerous Snakes In The United States

Picture of timber rattlesnake

  1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus Adamanteus)
  2. Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus Tigris)
  3. Copperhead (Agkistrodon Contortrix)
  4. Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus Viridis)
  5. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus Horridus)
  6. Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus Fulvius)
  7. Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)
  8. Black Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus Oreganus)
  9. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus Atrox)
  10. Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus Scutulatus)

 

Sings Of Snakes Around The Home

While spotting snakes is the most obvious way to determine if you have a problem, finding evidence of snakes isn’t always easy, especially in the winter when the creature may nest inside your home’s walls to protect itself from the cold. Snakes, unlike mice and rats, do not leave a trail of destruction. They often hide for months once they’ve gained access to your home. These are the warning signs of a snake infestation in or around your home: 

Snake Droppings: They resemble bird feces, but they occasionally contain hair and bones from their prey.

Snakeskin: As snakes mature, they shed their skin. The dry, scaly skin could be a whole sheet or a crumpled heap near an entrance into your home’s walls.

Snake Odor: Many snakes have a distinct odor. If you notice a strange odor in a crawlspace or other area that wasn’t there before, it’s something to be concerned about.

Slither Tracks: If you inspect a dusty area or crawlspace, you may notice tracks that indicate a snake has passed through.

How To Prevent A Snake Infestation?

Clutter appeals to snakes for a variety of reasons. For starters, it provides a safe haven from predators. Second, because snakes are reptiles, they require warmth to survive. Clutter, such as compost piles or wood stacks, can provide a nice, cozy den for snakes to hide from the elements. Find alternatives that are less appealing to snakes.

Snakes enjoy grazing on tall grass. It’s where their prey can be found. It provides ideal hunting cover while also keeping them safe from predators. Snakes will be more likely to seek out areas where they aren’t as exposed if your grass is kept trimmed.

If snakes are being found inside your home or garage, it’s because they have found an entry point. Inspect the exterior of the building and look for cracks or crevices that snakes may crawl through. Seal up those entry points with cement or silicone to prevent any further infestations from getting in. 

How To Remove Snakes From The Home?

If you have discovered a snake in your home or garage, it’s time to enlist the help of Animals Happen’s team of experts. We specialize in resolving all of your snake issues, no matter how big or small they are. Our licensed technicians have the tools and knowledge to handle any snake control services you may require on your property. Our humane wildlife management techniques will give you peace of mind about the animals in your ecosystem as well as the safety of your home.

But don’t wait until a snake has harmed you or your pet. For assistance with all of your snake removal needs, contact the experts at Animals Happen today!