Potential Dog Walking Dangers in the Fall - Venomous Snakes in the Southeast

Many pet dog owners mistakenly think that venomous snakes go into deep hibernation all at once, like some rite of passage for all slithery serpents. This leads to a false sense of security with venomous snakes and your happy go lucky pooch. Dogs love to dig around in all kinds of hiding places, and they are not hesitant at all about playing with a snake. In the southeastern portion of the United States, that can be a very dangerous proposition for your curious pooch.

When do snakes hibernate?

Snakes hibernate at various times depending upon a number of factors. One of those factors is where they live and how hot or cold it is at certain times of the year. As a general rule, venomous snakes of the southeast will begin hibernating in late summer to late fall, depending upon weather patterns. The weather in the southeast is highly variable in September and October, so it is not unheard of for snakes to hibernate late into the fall instead of during the late part of summer. You must consider how hot it is.

Do all snakes hibernate at the same time?

Snakes go into hibernation on their own time clock. Not every snake in the same area is going to hibernate at the same time, even though they may be experiencing the exact same weather. Many venomous snakes will hibernate in one spot if they find the same one, or if they have hibernated together in the past. Snakes have been known to hibernate in the same place year after year. Some snakes have even been known to hibernate in a basement or crawl space.

Will dogs avoid snakes naturally?

Absolutely not. Dogs sometimes seem to sense the danger, but it is often after they have been bitten. If that first bite is by a venomous snake, then the lesson can be a harsh or even fatal one. Most dogs are lucky enough to never even encounter a venomous snake.

What venomous snakes are found in the southeast?

Their are about six species of venomous snakes found in the southeast as a rule. Timber rattlesnakes, coral snakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, pygmy rattlesnakes and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are the most common types although they do have some subspecies within the subspecies. The copperhead is far and away the most common venomous snake in the southeast.

How can I keep my dog safe?

The main thing you can do to keep your dog safe is to keep him or her on a leash. If you have control of the dog, then you can keep them out of the dangerous areas. Do not let them nose through garbage or rubble. Do not let them play around rock piles or wood piles. Keep them on the path if you go trail walking. These are the primary things you can do to keep your dog snake-bite free.

Source:

http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312800/snake.htm