One of the most notorious sounds in Georgia that indicate that spring, early summer is near, are the sounds of cicadas. As we’ve already mentioned this year, cicadas in Georgia are going to sound much more intense due to the millions (that’s right, millions) that will be emerging from a 17-year slumber. While this in itself is going to be a natural marvel, there is something else to consider – the snakes that often snack on cicadas. More cicadas mean more copperheads, and here is everything you need to know to keep your family and fur friends safe.
When winter comes to a final close in Georgia, many snakes will begin to venture out to warm themselves and find food after a long dormancy.
Flickr Natalie McNear After coming out of a winter brumation, snakes will likely be hungry and looking to feast.
Many snakes like to snack on pests, which can be quite helpful at times, but also dangerous depending on the type of snake.
Flickr Troy Alexander For instance, copperheads, which don’t necessarily pop up often in the southern part of Georgia, are found in the forested areas of north Georgia.
Copperheads are known to love a good pest buffet, and one of the pests these snakes enjoying munching on is the sing-song cicada.
Flickr iLike.sky This means that you’ll have to be extra careful this cicada season, because with more cicadas emerging, the chances are higher for more copperheads, too.
How can you tell if a snake is a venomous copperhead? To start, the copperhead has a specific hourglass shape pattern on its back that can be an immediate indicator. You will also notice “hooded” eyelids on a copperhead as well.
Flickr Natalie McNear Copperheads aren’t normally out-and-about during the daytime a prefer to do their snacking at night, so you might not see them as often as you think.
But if you do come across a copperhead, keep your distance. Snakes are not known to be aggressive naturally, however, when feeling threatened, the chances of an attack are more likely.
Flickr Robert Berkowitz Also, if you want to prevent more snakes in your yard overall, make sure to keep your lawn mowed and short, plus any debris or piles of leaves or branches should be removed.
Have you ever seen a copperhead in Georgia before? Share with us your experience in the comments section! Or if you have more information you want to share about the upcoming cicadas in Georgia this spring, we’d love to hear from you!
Flickr Natalie McNear
After coming out of a winter brumation, snakes will likely be hungry and looking to feast.
Flickr Troy Alexander
For instance, copperheads, which don’t necessarily pop up often in the southern part of Georgia, are found in the forested areas of north Georgia.
Flickr iLike.sky
This means that you’ll have to be extra careful this cicada season, because with more cicadas emerging, the chances are higher for more copperheads, too.
Copperheads aren’t normally out-and-about during the daytime a prefer to do their snacking at night, so you might not see them as often as you think.
Flickr Robert Berkowitz
Also, if you want to prevent more snakes in your yard overall, make sure to keep your lawn mowed and short, plus any debris or piles of leaves or branches should be removed.
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