{"id":33412,"date":"2025-07-02T19:52:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T19:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/33412\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T19:52:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T19:52:12","slug":"identifying-triad-snake-species-and-tips-for-summer-encounters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/33412\/","title":{"rendered":"Identifying Triad snake species and tips for summer encounters"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEditor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect accurate information regarding snake bite treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend bringing a dead snake to the hospital after a snakebite, as stated in the video above and previously stated in the article below. This weekend, many people will spend time outdoors watching fireworks or hosting backyard barbecues for the Fourth of July. If you\u2019re getting outside, you might come across one of the Triad\u2019s dozens of species of snakes.Local environmental specialist Parker Whitt says there are several species folks commonly come across.”Most of the time, people see black rat snakes, black racers and black rat snakes. Sometimes in the garden, brown snakes, crown snakes and garter snakes,\u201d Whitt said. \u201cAnd if you’re around a lake or a pond or any body of water, we have about three or four water snake species.\u201dGet the latest news stories of interest by clicking hereWhitt says that all of these snakes are non-venomous, but some may be mistaken for venomous species.”One of the most misidentified snakes in our area is a young black snake. They’re patterned when they’re born, gray and black,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd over time, they lose the pattern and turn sort of black and a little bit white.”However, there is one common species people should watch out for. “In Forsyth County we only have one venomous snake; that\u2019s the copperhead,\u201d he said. Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.Whitt says snakes tend to emerge from hibernation in March and April. This time of year, they\u2019re more active at certain times of day.\u201cWhen it gets this hot, normally they’re not active in the daytime, they’re active at night,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that’s also when their prey\u2019s out, usually mice and rats and moles and shrews.\u201dJust like humans, Whitt says snakes will try to find some relief from the blistering hot summer temperatures. \u201cThat’s why people see them sometimes accidentally in their basements and in their crawl space, accidentally in their house,\u201d he said. Watch: NOWCAST streaming newscastsYou may not like to find them in your home or out in nature, but with the exception of the copperhead, most snakes in the Triad area are harmless. He says most of them aren\u2019t out to bite people.”If you see a snake before he sees you, the best thing is to leave it alone,\u201d he said. \u201cHe would rather flee than fight.”He says people poking and prodding snakes or accidentally stepping on them can lead to bites.”Especially at night, going to the garbage can or doing anything in the yard with flip-flops or barefoot, that’s a no-no,\u201d he said. \u201cYou need to at least put on some old tennis shoes or something to protect your feet from a copperhead bite.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you get bitten by a venomous snake, you should seek immediate medical attention. DO’SLay or sit down with the bite in a neutral positionKeep calmRemove jewelry before swelling beginDONT’SDo not cut the wound and attempt to suck out the venomDo not drive yourself to the hospital, as a snakebite can make you dizzy or pass outDo not apply a tourniquet to the areaDo not pick up or touch the snakeDo not apply ice or immerse the wound in waterDo not take over-the-counter painkillersSEE: Venomous snakes in North CarolinaNAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Watch NOWCAST TV | Local News | National | News We Love Trending Stories\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tWINSTON-SALEM, N.C. \u2014<\/strong> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Editor’s Note: <\/strong>This article has been updated to reflect accurate information regarding snake bite treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend bringing a dead snake to the hospital after a snakebite, as stated in the video above and previously stated in the article below. <\/p>\n

This weekend, many people will spend time outdoors watching fireworks or hosting backyard barbecues for the Fourth of July. If you\u2019re getting outside, you might come across one of the Triad\u2019s dozens of species of snakes.<\/p>\n

Local environmental specialist Parker Whitt says there are several species folks commonly come across.<\/p>\n

“Most of the time, people see black rat snakes, black racers and black rat snakes. Sometimes in the garden, brown snakes, crown snakes and garter snakes,\u201d Whitt said. \u201cAnd if you’re around a lake or a pond or any body of water, we have about three or four water snake species.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get the latest news stories of interest by <\/strong>clicking here<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Whitt says that all of these snakes are non-venomous, but some may be mistaken for venomous species.<\/p>\n

“One of the most misidentified snakes in our area is a young black snake. They’re patterned when they’re born, gray and black,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd over time, they lose the pattern and turn sort of black and a little bit white.”<\/p>\n

However, there is one common species people should watch out for. <\/p>\n

“In Forsyth County we only have one venomous snake; that\u2019s the copperhead,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the <\/strong>WXII app here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Whitt says snakes tend to emerge from hibernation in March and April. This time of year, they\u2019re more active at certain times of day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it gets this hot, normally they’re not active in the daytime, they’re active at night,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that’s also when their prey\u2019s out, usually mice and rats and moles and shrews.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just like humans, Whitt says snakes will try to find some relief from the blistering hot summer temperatures. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s why people see them sometimes accidentally in their basements and in their crawl space, accidentally in their house,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Watch: <\/strong>NOWCAST streaming newscasts<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

You may not like to find them in your home or out in nature, but with the exception of the copperhead, most snakes in the Triad area are harmless. He says most of them aren\u2019t out to bite people.<\/p>\n

“If you see a snake before he sees you, the best thing is to leave it alone,\u201d he said. \u201cHe would rather flee than fight.”<\/p>\n

He says people poking and prodding snakes or accidentally stepping on them can lead to bites.<\/p>\n

“Especially at night, going to the garbage can or doing anything in the yard with flip-flops or barefoot, that’s a no-no,\u201d he said. \u201cYou need to at least put on some old tennis shoes or something to protect your feet from a copperhead bite.” <\/p>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if you get bitten by a venomous snake, you should seek immediate medical attention. <\/p>\n

DO’S<\/strong><\/p>\n