Bringing back our yearly snake post since it's that's time of year and we've received a number of reports that residents have seen snakes in the community!
Did you know? Snakes are an important part of local ecosystems. While they may give some people the jeepers-creepers, snakes as a whole keep down the population of much more dangerous and destructive pests like rats, mice and insects.
During the winter months, snakes hibernate, but it's not uncommon to see snakes laying around when the weather is warm - much like us, they enjoy laying out on a sunny day and soaking up the sun!
Local Snakes Ohio is home to 25 different snake species, and these are the ones you're most likely to see in our neighborhood:
Dekay's Brownsnake: This adorable and secretive little snake is probably the most common snake in urban environments east of the Mississippi, and in that setting is most often encountered under objects in yards, gardens, and the vestibules of buildings. They live in and help your garden by eating pests that will hurt your plants, like slugs and snails. They are harmless and cannot hurt you.
Eastern Garter Snake: These colorful snakes are often found near creeks or drain pipes. Their preferred prey are amphibians, fish, slugs, and earthworms. They keep local garden pest populations in check. They're harmless and cannot hurt you.
The Ratsnake: These snakes can be intimidating only because they are one of the largest snakes native to Ohio - they are also one of the most beneficial to have in a community. Called the ratsnake because their preferred food is rats, mice and other small rodents; they are extremely effective pest control – far superior to any barn cat – and help prevent the spread of diseases that rodents carry and spread such as Lyme, hantavirus, and bubonic plague. If you see a ratsnake, they will often go very still and make their body rigid - an attempt to escape detection. They're harmless and cannot hurt you.
What is the danger? Almost none! In fact, Ohio only has 3 venomous snakes and only one is found in the Columbus area - the copperhead. Copperheads prefer heavily wooded and rocky hillsides, and the odds of seeing one in a residential area is very low. Copperheads have very distinctive stripes, as you can see below. If you suspect that you've seen a copperhead, please contact the board immediately.
So what do I do? Nothing! If you see a snake on the premises, please leave it alone. They are our peaceful and beneficial neighbors who just want to exist undisturbed.
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