Texas Wildlife: When Snakes Are Most Active & Staying Protected

Lorena, Texas was recently in the news because a child was bitten by a copperhead snake on Sunday evening and last I read their status had not been shared. A copperhead bite is very similar to a wasp sting or fire ant bite with localized tissue discomfort, and thankfully is extremely rare for it to be fatal unless anaphylaxis occurs.

How often are snake bites in Texas?

Being bitten by a snake of any species is already pretty rare and in the last 50 years, it does not appear that more than three people in Texas have died from a venomous snake bite in any given year. Texas has the most species of snake, but only about 1 in 7 Texas snakes are venomous, and a venomous bite only results in death about 1 in 500 times it happens.

How can you protect yourself from snakes?

People do not seem to agree with the effectiveness of abstinence teaching when it comes to drugs and pregnancy, but just like both of those topics, if you simply avoid them, you have a 0.0% of experiencing a negative side effect.

Think of it like avoiding your ex, just do not go to the places they are likely to be such as tall grassy areas and brush filled rocky terrain. Looks like this time someone's ex was living in Lorena.

Next to my house are a hay field and an overgrown lot the city often neglects, so I do not let my children venture into either without being with them. My thought process is if we do not trespass into their home, they will not show up uninvited at ours.

When are snakes most active in Texas?

Snake activity in Texas is highest in spring and early summer because they are emerging from their brumation, are hungry from lying dormant over the last several weeks and months, and it is also cuffing season for snakes.

After finding mates and getting their calories caught up, snake activity can slow down during this time of year (midsummer), but it will pick back up towards the end of the summer as babies begin to hatch.