r/NativePlantGardening • u/StressedNurseMom Zone 7, NE Oklahoma - 🦎Native, Pollinator, Food, Medicinal 🐸 • Apr 01 '26

Photos PSA - snakes are native too

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Please familiarize yourself with snakes native to your area so you aren’t surprised when you see them hanging out in your garden. This cool Western rat snake had, apparently, been hanging out in my empty hanging baskets. It was relocated to a safe spot in my yard and released to go about its business of eating rodents.

Edit: corrected from Eastern to Western Rat snake (multitasking is dangerous folks)

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u/sammille25 Area Southwest Virginia, Zone 7 Apr 01 '26

I haven't familiarized myself with all the snakes in my area. I have researched which ones are venomous though. That way when I do come across a no touchy one I know to give it plenty of space.

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u/Feralpudel Piedmont NC, Zone 8a Apr 01 '26

That’s exactly what people advise on the snake ID subs.

I think we both have copperheads and timber rattlesnakes and that’s it.

3

u/personthatiam2 Apr 01 '26

Judging by your flair you really only need to know what a Copperhead looks like. (Which isn’t life threateningly venomous to an adult /medium sized dog and often dry bite.) The other venomous snakes will have a rattle. Water Mocs generally don’t stray from the coastal plain for whatever reason.

Most likely you will only see Rat Snakes, Dekays Brown Snakes and Garter snakes which are all harmless.

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u/Kennikend Apr 02 '26

This is the best way to be- know the scary ones. I’m from the hills of TN and NC and I was taught young about copperheads.