Reptiles
Snakes
Despite their sometimes beautiful appearance, snakes are often regarded as more than a pest. They’re an outright nuisance that many people are terrified of. Scientific research has shown that this fear starts in the genes.
Though many of them are not poisonous and even fewer have enough venom to harm a human, there’s no question that you should remove them from your property as soon as possible. They can play a vital role in your area’s ecosystem, so humane means are employed by Natural State Wildlife Solutions to remove them.
Where Do Snakes Live?
Generally, snakes prefer to live in dark, damp places. Inside, they can usually be found curled up in the corners of a basement or inside cabinets and underneath sinks. Outside, their haunts of choice are piles of leaves and logs. They also prefer tall grass and the underside of rocks, so be careful when disturbing these areas. They are defensive-minded creatures and may strike when they feel threatened.
In Northern Arkansas, there are a few snakes you need to be especially aware of. The Coral Snake is easily identifiable by its black and red band (with a thin strip of yellow in-between), while the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest and, thus, packs the most punch. In all, there are six out of the 36 species found in Arkansas that can be deadly.
What Do Snakes Eat?
They are carnivores, but most of them are limited by their size in what they will attack. They will inherently consume the prey that fits inside their stomach. If you have water on your property, such as a small pond or a nearby stream, they may eat frogs, tiny fish, grasshoppers, and snails. In homes, they typically eat rodents such as rats and mice. In this way, they can act as a detection system for the presence of other unwanted pests inside your home.
Can Snakes Fly?
Documentaries have shown them hopping from treetop to treetop. The Paradise Tree Snake has been observed gliding up to 70 feet. The good news is, its home is in Southeast Asia, not northern Arkansas.
Many types have remarkable speed and the ability to strike in less than one-tenth of a second. They can bite their victim four times in the same amount of time it takes a human to blink and clocking in at a striking speed of 8.75 feet per second is the Western Rat Snake. This serpent is one of the most common in the state.
Even scarier than that is a snake doesn’t even have to be intact to bite. In the case of a Texas man, a decapitated head bit him while working in the garden, even though his wife had cut off its head hours earlier.
If you see a snake in your home or on your property, don’t try to remove it yourself. Call Natural State Wildlife Solutions to set up an appointment. We’ll humanely transport these pests away from your house but also set up barriers to prevent them from returning.