Horizon West residents finding snakes indoors

As housing expands into areas that were recently undeveloped and still border natural areas, many animals are being displaced. Their habitat is disappearing, and as a result, they are more likely to end up in or near our houses.

Because snakes have to use external heat sources to regulate their body temperatures, more and more residents of Horizon West have been finding them in their homes, especially as the days get cooler. Only six of Florida’s 44 snake species are venomous, but any snake can bite if provoked, and every snake belongs outdoors. 

“There’s no need to kill them. There’s no need to kill even the venomous ones,” said Peggy Lantz, who teaches Florida Master Naturalist Program courses at Oakland Nature Preserve.

If you find a snake in your house, you can gently herd it outside with a broom or similar object. There, it can continue its natural behavior of controlling populations of rodents, roaches and other pests. 

“They’re all useful in our natural habitat one way or another—mostly by eating things that we like even less than snakes,” Lantz said.

If you encounter a snake outdoors, you might want to identify it for your own interest, but regardless of whether it’s venomous, it’s best to leave it alone. 

“Most snakes are very secretive and don’t want to have anything to do with people, and will run instead of fighting,” Lantz said. “Mainly what we need to do is leave them alone and let them be.”

Contact Catherine Kerr at [email protected].