This attractive spring climate has many Katy households desirous to spend time outdoors making encounters with native snakes probably. Many sorts of snakes name Katy home, together with 4 which might be venomous. Residents ought to at all times be educated on our snakes and keep alert when out having fun with this climate.
Photo from a earlier story when Bessy Gomez discovered a Water Moccasin or Cottonmouth at her Green Trails home. Photo credit score: Bessy Gomez
Katy residents want to remain alert and be cautious of snakes. Katy mothers have discovered snakes at native playgrounds whereas their youngsters play. The better Houston space has 34 totally different sorts of snakes. Of that quantity, about 4 are venomous. If you see a snake, go away it alone or name Animal Control.
Snakes may be Found All Year
While climate can play a significant function in encountering a snake, residents ought to be at all times knowledgable and cautious. Snakes can typically be discovered hiden round our houses. One Katy household discovered one hiding in a drain earlier than the final freeze.
Photo credit score: Kristen Johnson
“I posted an image of it on a snake group that I joined after we moved right here,” says Johnson. “They responded so shortly what sort of snake it was and that it was non venomous, in order that made me really feel higher having my husband get it out of there.”
They eliminated the snake and it shortly went off to discover a new location.
As Katy continues to develop new development disrupts wildlife and will increase resident encounters with snakes.
Parents Should Be on the Lookout
Many Katy neighborhoods have lakes, resembling close to this park, that entice snakes. Parents ought to fastidiously go searching play areas earlier than youngsters play and educate their youngsters to be cautious.
One Katy mother recollects encountering a snake whereas she and her youngsters have been at a neighborhood park final yr.
“While my youngsters have been taking part in on the Elyson’s Commons at Bear Creek playground, my 1yr old tripped over a snake on the pavement. It was horrible,” says Katy Dad Hans Nassh. The household noticed a number of snakes whereas the performed on the park for thirty minutes.
The snake they encountered was later recognized as a non venomous racer snake. Still the state of affairs was reminder for Katy residents to remain cautious as Katy has snakes.
Most Common Katy Snakes
Southern Copperhead
Venomous, Very Common, Aggressive
MARKINGS: Tan or pale brown physique with darkish brown, hourglass-shaped bands on its again
Although copperheads are sometimes discovered within the japanese a part of Texas, they’ve been recognized to make frequent appearances in Katy. Copperheads like to cover in wooded, suburban areas, and are unaccustomed to being in shut proximity to people.
Western Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)
Venomous, Moderately Common, Moderately Aggressive
MARKINGS: Dark coloured, vague bands or markings, and a big, flat head that’s wider than the neck
Although solely 7% of all snakebite instances in Texas contain cottonmouths, this snake is on the checklist as a result of it has been recognized to hang around in creeks, irrigation ditches, and rice fields within the Katy space. Their chew could cause extreme tissue harm and harmful micro organism infections.
Texas Coral Snake
Venomous, Moderately Common, Not Aggressive
MARKINGS: Black head, pink, black, and yellow stripes on physique
A coral snake’s weight loss plan consists largely of small lizards and different snakes. It may be present in city areas, in gardens, and wooded heaps. With neurotoxic venom stronger than different species, it is a good factor they’ll solely chew if provoked.
Texas Rat Snake
Not Venomous, Very Common, Very Aggressive
MARKINGS: Dark-colored, sq. “spots” on mild brown pores and skin
The coloring can range significantly, however the Texas rat snake is normally yellow or tan, and all have a strong grey head. These snakes can largely be discovered round farmlands or fields. They can climb nicely, and feed totally on rodents and birds.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Venomous, Rare, Aggressive
MARKINGS: Black and white banded tail, darkish, diamond-shaped blotches, head is wider than the neck
The western diamondback rattlesnake is essentially the most ample of all venomous snakes in Texas. But the humid Houston local weather isn’t its most popular habitat, because it normally prefers a extra dry and arid terrain. Easily provoked, this snake will warn you by shaking or “rattling” its tail if it feels threatened. Seek medical consideration instantly if bitten.
Non-venomous, Very Common, Not Aggressive
MARKINGS: Brown with widespread black vertical stripe; young ones can have a reddish tint
The Texas brown snake can generally be present in gardens and flowerbeds. They feed on bugs and earthworms.
Diamondback Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer)
Non-venomous, Very Common, Not Aggressive
MARKINGS: Brown with diamond patterns. Can have a big head and locals typically mistake them for cottonmouths.
These snakes are quite common within the Katy space, particularly round neighborhood lakes.
Any Snake may be Dangerous
Any animal chew may end up in critical an infection and damage, even with out venom. If you see a snake, go away it alone except it appears to pose an instantaneous risk. In that case name Animal Control.
“The best way to ward off unwanted animals is to control what they eat,” says Chris Williams of Urban Jungle Wildlife Removal. “To avoid snakes, spray for bugs to ward off lizards, control rat and rodent population. Everyone has them but if you control the food source you’ll avoid those types of predators.”
If you see a snake, name a removing firm resembling Urban Jungle Wildlife Removal, or your native Animal Control. Katy has three counties and due to this fact, three animal management places of work:
Harris County 281-999-3191
Fort Bend County 281-342-1512
Waller County 979-826-8033
