AUBURN, Ala. (WTVM) - Wildlife experts are saying this is the time of year to watch where you're walking because this is when snakes are most common. But there are some things you can do to try and keep the slithery reptiles away from your home.
According to Wildlife Expert and Assistant Professor at Auburn University Wesley Anderson, snakes in Alabama can be seen year-round. But during the fall months, is when Baby Snakes are hatching, and can be more dangerous than an adult snake.
"Species like copperheads, they do tend to do well around people, even in wooded residential areas. But out in the rural areas, definitely you'll see more timber rattlesnakes," said Anderson.
Anderson says the most common venomous snakes in East Alabama are the Copperhead, Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin and the Timber Rattlesnake. The ways to identify these snakes are by the Copperhead's color and triangle head, the Rattlesnake can be identified by it's large body and tan rattler at the end of it's tail and the Cottonmouth will have a dark stripe from the eye to the jaw and it's white mouth. Anderson says the best way to keep snakes away from your house is to keep your yard maintained.
"Keep your grass short," Anderson said. "A lot of things like to eat snakes and the more exposed they feel, the less welcome they're going to be in your yard. Keep things tidy. You know, if you have a brush pile, try to just stack that up in some area. Keep things off the ground. And, if you like to feed the birds, just keep that area tidy too, because birds and mice that get attracted to the bird seed do attract snakes."
Anderson says the likelihood of being bitten by a snake is slim, however a baby snake is more likely to bite when they feel threatened.
"If you look down and there's a snake right next to your foot, you know, back away slowly. You don't want to startle the animal. You don't want it to feel threatened, especially if it's a venomous species," said Anderson.
Anderson says if you think you have been bitten by a venomous snake, to get to your nearest Emergency Room. Anti-venom will treat most bites from venomous snakes in Alabama, and there's no need to bring a dead snake.