Snakes
Snakes are a long, thin reptile that can bite and on occasion are venomous. Reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning they do not create enough body heat to maintain their body temperature but have to do things like lie on rocks in the sun for warmth. Snakes, and other reptiles like lizards, typically lay eggs rather than give birth to live young, like mammals do.
In North Carolina, we have 37 species of snake. There are great varieties in length, width, color and behavior among these species. Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Kernersville, Burlington and surrounding greater Triad area have a large number of snake species on both populated and less-populated land.
Problems with Snakes
Snakes are frightening to many people. Like with predators, spiders, and some other natural threats, there is a good reason for this fear to have developed in people. Many snake species are venomous and can even be deadly. North Carolina has only six venomous snakes out of the 37 present species.
Five of the venomous snakes are pit vipers (meaning they have pits of venom on the side of their heads) and the sixth is the coral snake. The coral snake lives in the far southeast of the state, so we don’t have to worry about them. Of the pit vipers, there are two moccasins and three rattlesnakes species. The rattlesnakes are mainly in the mountain areas of the state. The moccasins can be seen in our area. Water moccasins (also known as cottonmouths) and highland moccasins (also known as copperheads) are present, and their bites may be dangerous.
Removing Snakes in the Triad
Snakes often need to be removed for reasons other than venomous bites. The species in the Triad that are not pit vipers may still bite, or their presence may just be a nuisance. Critter Control of the Triad has experience removing snakes safely with modern, humane methods. If there are snakes on your property that you want removed, contact us immediately, and we will send out a wildlife technician.
