Dry weather pushing venomous snakes into neighborhoods

Snake catcher says snakes moving closer to homes due to low water levels

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A snake catcher in Seminole County tells News 6 venomous snakes are moving closer to homes because of low water levels.

Bob Cross said on Thursday, two cottonmouth water moccasins were spotted in a yard in Lake Mary.

Cross said the snakes are traveling from the Wekiva wetlands and the Wekiva River.

"Now that the wetlands are drying up, all of the snakes that inhabited that area are moving into the subdivisions," Cross said. "Our swamps are drying up. Our retention ponds are drying up, and it's making the snakes move to look for more water and more food."

Theresa Vanderveen said her lawn care company was cutting her grass Thursday morning when they discovered the two large snakes.

"He said that he had caught one of them, but the larger one is still on the loose and to watch out because he knows I have small children and he wanted to make sure we were aware for their safety," Vanderveen said. "I told my kids watch out. Don't play in the grass. Don't walk around on the lake. Just make sure they are aware of snakes. I don't want anyone getting bit."

Cross said he typically sees about five water moccasins a year, but he's seen three in the past few days.

Anyone who comes into contact with one of the venomous snakes is asked to stay far away and call an expert to safely remove it.


About the Author:

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.