The drought is bringing more snakes into Utah yards — what do you do?

As a scorching drought sweeps through Utah, more and more living things are finding their way into public parks and backyards.

This is nothing new to Utahns, but an increased frequency of snakes in the Salt Lake Valley and elsewhere for the summer means caution and preparation, according to reptile experts.

“We’re getting calls earlier than ever this year,” said Terry Messmer, wildlife specialist at Utah State University Extension. “All of them occurred in early June, while other incidents of snake sightings and bites occurred in late June in previous years. A fatal incident occurred last year with a person recovering on trails, and these are all park sightings. “

Of the calls Messmer received, mostly non-poisonous snakes get lost in the valley. Although most venomous snakes remain in mountainous areas or mugwort, two types of venomous snakes have been sighted in areas around St. George: the Great Basin rattlesnake and the Mojave sidewinder.

More snake sightings are typical of the summer season and periods of increased drought, according to Wild Aware Utah, an informational website that works with the USU Extension, Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo, and the Utah Department of Natural Resources. Snakes don’t need as much water as humans, but they still need some moisture and often look for it in areas that are actively watered. Farmers can see more of them in irrigated areas, and homeowners should keep an eye out for snakes in piles of wood and rubbish that can serve as protection from the sun.

A western diamondback rattlesnake used by Haley Bechard of Utah Rattlesnake Avoidance is pictured in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 24, 2021. In response to the drought, snakes have been in search of food and water, and some have recently been spotted in humid areas of city parks and courtyards. Of the 31 species of snakes found in Utah, seven are poisonous. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Food is also a major concern for sliding reptiles, and they often look for rodents scurrying around in backyard trash or compost heaps.

Drought conditions exacerbate other problems as well. While forest fires continue to burn in Utah due to the parched grass and elevated temperatures, snakes are being driven from their natural habitat and can take shelter elsewhere. According to Utah’s Department of Wildlife Resources, all snakes, whether nontoxic or venomous, will be able to move more into yards and fields in search of water this year.

One of Messmer’s main concerns is that people who have never met snakes before will now see them crawling on their back porches. When it comes to queuing, knowledge and caution are key components to enjoying their presence without invading their space.

Of the 31 species of snakes found in Utah, seven are poisonous. These are known as pit vipers because of the pit between their nostrils and eyes. Venomous snakes have shorter nostrils, triangular heads, and slit pupils. Most venomous snakes are found in mugwort, pinyon-juniper forests, sand dunes, rocky slopes, grasslands, and mountain forests. Wild Aware Utah advises that if you can’t tell from a distance whether the snake is venomous, leave it alone and treat it as if it were. Even if a snake is not poisonous, it can still respond to arousal by biting, which can cause lasting damage to the skin and tissue.

Although only about six people die from snake bites nationwide, around 6,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes annually, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Many of them are the result of attempts to manipulate or illegally kill the snake, according to the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources. It is usually enough to leave the reptile alone to avoid a bite and ensure that children and pets follow suit.

Hannah Hausman and Ethan Watts hike the Living Room Trail in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 24, 2021. In response to the drought, many snakes are in search of food and water, and some have recently been spotted in humid areas of the city’s parks and courtyards. Of the 31 species of snakes found in Utah, seven are poisonous. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Avoid putting body parts in a crevice while hiking, as these are areas that snakes frequently visit. Always travel with a friend or let someone know where you will be and how long you will be there, and put on shoes that cover your entire foot, as most unprovoked snakebites are administered to extremities that are wrong placing ends at the wrong time.

When you have enough distance, you can take out your phone to document the queue with the iNaturalist app. This app lets you submit photos, find data on where species are, and identify the species that are snaking around in front of you.

“It’s really beneficial for us to be able to collect data on various sightings,” said Faith Heaton Jolley, public information officer for the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources. “We don’t have an exact number of snakes reported lately, but having a database like this helps us get a better idea.”

In the event of a poisonous animal bite, the Department of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Division of Wildlife, and Wild Alert Utah all advocate that the bitten individual stay calm, avoid running or lifting the bitten area over the heart, and the Contact emergency services as soon as possible. Trying an emergency solution, like applying a tourniquet to the affected area, can actually do more harm than good.

“Emergency services officers can give you the best current advice,” said Jolley. “Some of the information on the Internet is out of date, so call the nearest emergency room and get professional help.”

Haley Bechard of Utah Rattlesnake Avoidance holds a Western Diamondback rattlesnake for use while training in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 24, 2021. In response to the drought, there have been many snakes in search of food and water, and some have recently been spotted in humid areas of city parks and courtyards. Of the 31 species of snakes found in Utah, seven are poisonous. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News