PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
Heavy rains and flooding in South Florida have caused a dramatic increase in snake sightings, with calls to wildlife trappers tripling in recent weeks.
Trapper Jay of Treasure Coast Wildlife Trappers said he has collected nearly 50 snakes in the past month, including venomous species such as rattlesnakes, water moccasins and coral snakes.
“A lot of times in neighborhoods, it’s people’s houses. Whether it’s in the garage, outside the house, in the house,” Trapper Jay said.
Last week, Trapper Jay responded to a call about a rattlesnake that had made a home outside a veterinary clinic.
He said the reason for the increase in snake activity is the wet weather forcing the snakes to seek higher ground.
“The water levels are bringing them up; it’s bringing them out of their holes and all that. They want to stay dry, so they’ve been coming up to more elevated areas,” Trapper Jay said.
Trapper Jay advises residents to avoid harming the snakes and to call a professional for help.
“Make sure you don’t kill these because they’re not only beautiful but again, they provide such an important part of the ecosystem,” Trapper Jay said.
Over the next month, as rainfall decreases and temperatures drop, snake activity is expected to decline.
However, Trapper Jay emphasized that if residents encounter a snake, the safest option is to contact a trapper.
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