Newbie from WNC with a question

[Mrgunguy]

Hey y’all! I’m from Western North Carolina and have just started seeing a lot of snakes after 20 years living here. Last year saw one snake (it was flying... caught in the grips of an owl). This year I’ve seen eight small snakes (babies?) on the road, in my driveway and even two of them in my garage. It’s odd that I’ve gone a total of 28 years here and have only seen one (about twenty years ago) on the Appalachian Trail (rattlesnake under a shelter) until very recently. I thought I’d come to the forums here and see if there was a reason for this or if it’s just coincidence.

Thanks a bunch. I’ve been enjoying reading the posts here and especially looking at the amazing photos.

[lady_bug87]

Welcome. Its hard to say for sure but changing climates, population growth or any number of other variables can impact how many snakes you'd see around.

[craigafrechette]

Has any land been developed nearby over the last few years? Is it possible their natural habitat is now a strip mall or condos or something? That could cause them to migrate closer to your neck of the woods.

[Mrgunguy]

I should have given more detail to begin with. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina (Asheville). I’ve lived in this home for over twenty years and have never seen a snake here with the exception of about a year ago or so I witnessed a Barn Owl land in my back yard and depart with a rather long, unidentified snake. As of this summer I’ve now seen eight small snakes, none of whom I could identify. Most have been found dead or dying on the road, all have been rather small. There has been no construction nearby, the weather is as it always is (fantastic!) and I cannot put my finger on anything else that might have changed. There is one thing though, but I doubt it has application here. It’s clear that the mole population has exploded in recent years. My yard, and those of my neighbors, are absolutely perforated by moles. The reason that I doubt this is the explanation for the snake population growth is that the snakes seem to be much too small to eat moles. The largest of this new snake population is no longer than about 12”.

[lady_bug87]

Moles have babies and a 12" snake could definitely eat baby moles so I can see that as being a good reason to see more snakes around.