What should you do if you see a snake?

Question

I'm not familiar enough with snakes to know which are poisonous and which aren't, but yesterday we stepped outside to find a black snake on our front porch as long as the step itself! It was the biggest snake I've ever seen in the wild. We live in the woods so it should be expected, but I never saw one that big in the four years I've lived there, so I'm a little freaked out. Thankfully my boyfriend was in the Boy Scouts to know these things already, but...

Can you give advice to a total noob about what to do if you come across a snake? If it's outdoors and not bothering me then I'll just let it go, but what if it comes at me? Should I run, hit it with something, scream? That seems like it'd be my natural reaction, anyway! And what if one gets in the house? What should I do?

I've tried researching this stuff but it seems like there is SO much information to process. If anyone is familiar with what to do, please clue me in! :D Thanks so much!

Some people have said to transport it or trap it - if you suggest this, please provide details as to, y'know, HOW to do that. :)

Answer 1

Leave it alone, simple. If you don't know what kind it is, and you're not comfortable picking it up as I would(I see snakes all the time-have about 25 living in my house), then leave it alone. Snakes do NOT go after people, so chances are, the snake is going to leave ASAP, anyway. If you're in North America, NO venomous snake in the US is black, so that alone tells you it was harmless, big or not, and was most likely a Black Ratsnake. Get books on snake identification and teach yourself how to distinguish the snake species that are found in your area, and most importantly, which are venomous and which aren't(HINT: the majority of North American snakes AREN'T venomous). In warm weather, just watch where you step and put your hands when outside, and don't put feet or hands where you can't see. Keep in mind(and this goes for the person who suggested killing the snake, as well as the asker)that 78% of venomous snake bites in the US are inflicted upon people who are TRYING TO KILL THE SNAKE! Snakes, like rabbits, dogs, kittens and squirrels(among most other animals)will bite in self-defense when they have no other recourse. Again, I repeat-snakes DO NOT "COME AT" people! If YOU go an antogonize the snake, you put yourself at risk, if the snake happens to be venomous, and far greater risk than if you just walk away and leave it alone. Running from a snake makes about as much sense as running from a pine cone, since pine cones don't "come after" people, either. If a snake gets in the house, you can almost bet your annual salary that it will be a non-venomous one, most likely a Ratsnake, once again, and here again, though, it pays to learn the difference. If you live in the woods, it only makes sense to learn as much as you can about the neighbors that were there first, and that includes the ones with no legs.

Answer 2

I think the best thing to do is first to find out what kind of poisonous snakes there are in your area. You didn't mention your state/area so I cannot help you there but you probably have lots of non-poisonous snakes near you and MAYBE one or two poisonous varieties.Obviously, if it has a rattle, STAY AWAY but also with snakes with multi-colored rings remember this ryhme: if red touches yellow, he's a good fellow (non-poisonous), but if red touches black, you had better stay back (poisonous).

It wouldn't be that smart to antagonize a snake that you may see in the wild and hitting it with something or screaming would not calm it down and relax it. If you should find one in your house, keep your eye on it-watch where it goes, grab the phone and call someone you know or animal control in your area. Chances are very slim that one will find it's way into your house.

The big black one you had on your porch sounds like a black rat snake (see link below). They are not poisonous and (as with most snakes) are alot more scared of you than you are of them. Any snake will bite if provoked but chances are (in your area) you don't have much to worry about. Good luck!

Answer 3

If snakes don't come at you that run and scream then call animal control because if you read clearly then you would see that this person has a bad history or problems with snakes..

Answer 4

First cool name!
Now you don't need to be scared of the snake. My guess is that is was just basking in a really nice warm spot. If you have a broom handle just push it off the step and the snake will do the rest. You don't need to scream, kill it or anything else. If it gets in the house use your broom handle to pick it up and put it outside.
You'll be fine.

Answer 5

Hello..first just stop...then if you have to move, just move slowly..most snakes won't mess with you if you don't mess with them or unless they feel threatened & they know their prey / food sources well enough to know humans are not something they want ...even the most venemous will move on !!! Just gotta be careful where you step or if you have to move things like rock or wood piles, etc, just make lots of noise then & give them good kicks before you reach to move them or if you have dogs or cats who are behaving oddly, that's another sign...I'd also do a search about the kinds of snakes you have in your area & learn their habits & habitats so you can look out as well ..Take Care :)

Answer 6

Most snakes are not aggressive (water moccasins are an exception to the rule), so simply moving away from them should be enough. Make a lot of noise if you're moving in an area where snakes may be. They should seek deeper foliage and get out of your way. Most have no desire to see you either!

Answer 7

Look I live in Houma la, an for the one that says snakes don t come inside ur home Omg !!!! Yes they sure do an I can t figure out for what I found 3 in the last 4 months one on my washer one day one under my icebox another time an just yesterday on my kitchen floor an I m very afffarid of snakes I m praying so hard he left but I don t kno how u kno,, an if they would leave right away the same way if u spook them I couldn t watch we re it went cause I can t look at them SOMONE PLEASE HELP GIVE ME SOMETHING GOOD SO I CAN MOVE ARROUND IN MY HOUSE

Answer 8

if any way possible leave it be. if it chases you pick something up and kill it. but make sure whatever you use to kill it with is long enough where you cant get bit. just becarefull ok

Answer 9

read all the above very helpfull as I am terrified and glad they are also

Answer 10

either, leave it alone, kill it, or tranport it to a different location. if it's poisonous then don't leave it alone, because it might crawl under your house, or in. you can kill it by a garden tool or putting it in a garage can to tranport it. Don't pick it up, because most likely it will bite you. Hope I helped.