The City of Dunwoody recently has been alerted to several snake sightings in some of our city parks and on private property, especially in residential backyards. According to the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division snakes are common inhabitants of most backyards, parks, and woodlands throughout Georgia.
Outdoor enthusiasts and gardeners may sometimes run across small ringneck, worm, red-bellied, brown, earth, and crowned snakes. While none of these species are very large and do not bite, there are several larger snake species (corn and rat snakes, as well as racers) which can be present in residential areas. An important part of outdoor safety is being on the lookout for snakes around piles of brush or firewood and near crawl spaces underneath homes.
If a clearly identified venomous snake is in an area where it represents a danger to children or pets, consider contacting a wildlife removal specialist www.allwildlifecontrol.com or contact the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division for a list of private wildlife removal specialists.
For more on Georgia’s snakes, go to www.georgiawildlife.org/georgiasnakes, or check out “Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia” (www.georgiawildlife.org/conservation/reptileamphibianguide – University of Georgia Press), a comprehensive reference.
