Experts address snake season concerns
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — With snake season upon us, experts are sharing what to look out for if you spot a snake near or in your home as well as the steps you should take.
Birmingham Zoo Reptile Manager, Andy Scott said Alabama has a total of 50 native snakes, 6 of which are venomous in Central Alabama. He said you may likely spot three of them.
'The most common would-be copperheads. After that cottonmouths, and then sometimes timber rattlesnakes,' said Scott.
As the temperature outdoors rise, people are more likely to spot a snake.
'Warmer days they're going to be out or if it's really, really hot, like in the heat of August, they're going to be out more in the evenings. So, like, going out to your driveway to take your trash out you'll probably want to wear shoes cause to a snake a driveway is just a big warm rock to take a nap on,' said Scott.
Man charged with giving alcohol to 20-year-old who fell from stands at Pirates game
Scott said they typically won't bother you, but if you see one on a walk, hike or near your home he said don't engage.
'The best thing you can do is give it space. No matter what they're still there to be a pest control animal. They don't want to hurt you. They will defend themselves just like any other animal but the best thing you can do is just give them their space and be respectful of them,' said Scott.
Experts say if you just can't live with it, call for a safe removal.
Alabama Snake Removers is one local resources.
'We offer a service of unwanted snakes, unneeded snakes, however you may look at it from people's property. Whether it be their home businesses or even the park. If it's a public park and we know that there are a lot of children that frequent the area and we see that there's a couple of copperheads, then we'll dispatch a guy because we know it's a public safety hazard and we just try to do our best to help our neighbor,' said Mark Hay.
Scott and Hay said keeping your grass cut short and removing debris can help keep snakes out of your yard.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
DC mother found guilty of murder for death of 16-month-old daughter
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A D.C. woman was found guilty of murder Wednesday in the death of her 16-month-old daughter in March 2017. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia, 39-year-old Faneisha Scott was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree cruelty to children and second-degree cruelty to children. FCPD: Ex-Youth summer program leader charged with secretly recording minors Evidence stated that around 2:45 p.m. on March 21, 2017, Scott's friend- and her daughter Rhythm Fields' godmother- went to Scott's home in the 5400 block of C St. SE. The friend's 8-year-old child asked to play with Rhythm, but the friend found Rhythm in her playpen 'unresponsive and cold.' Scott went outside and flagged down a mail carrier, who called 911 and went back into Scott's apartment with her. The mail carrier saw 'Rhythm on the couch, lifeless. The child's body was cold, her body was stiff, and her eyes were fixed,' the USAO said. The mail carrier remained on the phone with 911 until two others entered to give Rhythm CPR. The USAO said that one of these individuals was an experienced former firefighter who immediately recognized that Rhythm was dead. Scott told first responders that she hadn't had any contact with Rhythm since 9 a.m. 2 teens charged with 9 armed carjackings, robbery in DC; police search for more suspects The D.C. Medical Examiner's Office did an autopsy on Rhythm's body and ruled in February of 2018 that she had been killed and that her cause of death had been multiple blunt force injuries. The Medical Examiner's Office listed the following injuries: Contusions and abrasions of the head, neck, torso and extremities Subdural hemorrhage Cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute hypoxia-ischemia Retinal and optic nerve sheath hemorrhage Twenty-three bilateral rib fractures, showing both healing and new fractures Scott's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 29, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith accuses district attorney of lying about severity of charges against him
WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — The embattled sheriff of Walker County is countering prosecutors' claims on the penalty of the crimes he is charged with, alleging they were purposefully misstated to sway the upcoming election next year. On Monday, Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted on charges related to hiring six men as deputies who weren't certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission. Likewise, Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was charged with lying to the APOSTC about firing a deputy who was still on the force. Specifically, Smith is charged with six counts of violating article of standards for employing law enforcement officers. According to the Code of Alabama, the charge is a misdemeanor subject to fines of no more than $1,000. During a press conference announcing the charges against Smith, however, District Attorney Bill Adair claimed the charges could result in up to three months in jail and a $500 fine on each charge. 'That it is the belief of Sheriff Smith that the District Attorney has purposely misstated/overstated the penalty for the charges against the Sheriff for the express purpose of negatively influencing potential voters in the upcoming election,' wrote Thomas Carmichael, Smith's attorney. Following the indictment, which he called 'lawfare' and a 'political arrest,' Smith accused Adair of going after him to help J.C. Poe, chief of the Jasper Police Department who is running against him in an election to be held November 3, 2026. Responding to Smith's accusations, Adair said the sheriff was living in an 'alternate reality.' Carmichael has requested that the penalty for the charges against Smith be certified to reflect no jail time and no more than a $1,000 fine. The case is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Eastaboga man killed Talladega County crash
TALLADEGA COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) — An Eastoboga man was killed in a Talladega County crash Monday evening. 29-year-old Benjamin A. Ricks was traveling on Hwy 21 near mile marker 241 when he collided head-on with a tractor-trailer around 7:35 p.m. Ricks was pronounced dead at the scene, according to state troopers. Trump says he will reverse Fort Novosel name change Troopers with the highway patrol division continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
