Living here in Missouri, I don’t usually see a lot of snakes. The one time a year I do however, is fall. Why is that? Why do snakes seem to be more active in the fall, and what does that mean for hikers and campers? If snakes are more active, are they more likely to attack as well? The short answer is this, snakes are more active above ground in the fall, and due to increased activity could attack more.
Now lets examine this answer a little more. WHY are snakes more active in the fall? Well, snakes are cold blooded animals, meaning their body heat is regulated by the weather. In the hot summer days, its too warm for snakes to be active, and in the winter, it is too cold for snakes to move around. That leaves spring and fall. Snakes spend winter in the ground, so they are active in the spring as they leave their hole for the first time that year. They are even more active in the fall as they look for a spot to stay for the winter. This is why snakes are seen most during the fall. It is the perfect weather for their bodies (not too cold/not too hot), and they are searching everywhere for a nice hole to stay in.
Now lets look at the danger snakes pose. Missouri has five venomous snakes, the copperhead, cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, massasauga rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake. Though they are venomous, they are not necessarily mean. Most snakes only attack when they feel threatened, and when they are slithering around so much in the fall, it’s easy to “threaten” a snake with out realizing it, which will cause the snake to bite you. Snakes blend in to their environment, so you could very easily step on one without even seeing it.
The best tip I could give for dealing with a heavy snake presence this fall, is to be aware. Keep an eye out for snakes, and try to avoid them. That is the best way to stay safe from snakes as you enjoy your time outside this fall!
