Latest news with #snakes
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
These are the 4 most snake-filled lakes in Arizona, new ranking says
People living in Arizona have more in common with our slithery neighbors than we realize. Not only can both snakes and people handle the heat, we also often seek out bodies of water to cool down in the sweltering summers. According to geography website World Atlas' list of the most snake-infested lakes in Arizona, we have an estimated 41 species of snakes, which puts the Grand Canyon State second to Texas for highest diversity of snakes and greatest number of venomous snakes. The next time you visit these four lakes, keep an eye out for some friendly — and not so friendly — serpent friends. Lake Mead Located in both southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, Lake Mead's water comes from the Colorado River. Lake Mead's approximately 247 square miles is plenty of room for the recorded 41 species of reptiles to take a cool dip. According to World Atlas, five different species of snake have been recorded at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Venomous snakes: Mojave snake Western diamondback Southwestern speckled Sidewinder rattlesnake snakes: Long, black and white striped common king snake Lake Powell Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir along the Colorado River that reaches across Utah and Arizona state lines. The maximum water capacity in Lake Powell is 24 million acre-feet, which, like Lake Mead, is plenty of room to sustain a range of wildlife. Visitors might spot any of the following snakes in Lake Powell: Black-necked garter snake Common king snake Gopher snake Glossy snake Long-nose snake Night snake Patch-nosed snake Striped whipsnake Wandering garter snake Western rattlesnake Lake Pleasant Over the years, semi-aquatic snakes have made headlines at Lake Pleasant, according to WorldAtlas. The lake is located less than an hour north of Phoenix on the Agua Fria River. According to World Atlas, a gopher snake once slithered aboard a motorboat on Lake Pleasant, and rattlesnakes have been filmed swimming across the surface. Arizona history: Lake Pleasant wasn't named for its calm waters. How the popular lake was named Mittry Lake Mittry Lake is located in the far southwest corner of Arizona, just north of Yuma near California state lines. The Mittry Lake Wildlife Area covers 600 acres of surface water and 2,400 acres of restored marsh, upland terrain, riparian woodland and desert-scrub habitats, according to World Atlas. Mittry Lake is an important ecosystem for a wide range of plants and animals, including birds, amphibians and snakes. In 2016, 20 southern banded water snakes were pulled from the area. While these snakes are non-venomous, the Florida natives are invasive to the Mittry Lake and the Yuma area. The Arizona Game and Fish Department estimated that the population of water snakes in Mittry Lake was in the thousands. Can rattlesnakes swim? Unfortunately, according to previous Arizona Republic reporting, rattlesnakes can and regularly do swim. The Arizona Game and Fish Department said rattlesnakes will swim when necessary in pursuit of food, mates or refuge. However, they usually don't travel through water faster than their land speed of two to three miles per hour. Additionally, in Arizona, species like the gopher snake, coachwhip and common kingsnake are known to take a dip, especially near rivers, lakes or backyard pools. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about snakes living in Arizona lakes Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Oak Park, Illinois firefighters come to rescue snake gets stuck on CTA train
Back in 2006, Samuel L. Jackson starred in an action thriller called "Snakes on a Plane." In real life 19 years later, some Chicago Transit Authority 'L' passengers in Oak Park, Illinois, starred in a real-life situation of "snakes on a train." On Saturday, the Oak Park Fire Department was called to the Harlem/Lake Green Line terminal, on the boundary of Oak Park and Forest Park. A ball python named Lucius, after the Harry Potter character Lucius Malfoy, had gotten away from his owner and had gotten stuck inside the train's control panel. Firefighters were able to open the box, free Lucius, and return him to his owner — who happened to be dressed like a pirate. The Oak Park Fire Department posted on Facebook, "Not a typical rescue, but a memorable one for sure!"
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Louisiana lakes with the highest snake populations according to WorldAtlas. What to know
Louisiana is home to approximately 48 species of snakes, and seven of those species are venomous. Louisiana also is home to a diverse array of water bodies, including rivers, bayous, lakes, bays, sounds and the Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico. Within these bodies of water, a variety of Louisiana's snake species can be found, and some waters are more infested than others. The four most snake infested lakes in Louisiana according to WorldAtlas In Louisiana lakes, the most common non-venomous snakes that are found include the banded water snake, the diamond back water snake and the common garter snake. Conversely, the most common venomous snakes found in Louisiana lakes include cottonmouths, also referred to as water moccasins, and copperheads. Lake Pontchartrain Lake Pontchartrain is considered to be the No. 1 most snake infested lake in Louisiana, according to WorldAtlas. The body of water encompasses approximately 630 square miles, and has multiple bayous and rivers flowing into it. The mostly freshwater lake is inhabited by a variety of snakes, including the ball python, brahminy blind snake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, glossy swamp snake, eastern copperhead, gray rat snake, western rat snake, scarlet snake and mud snake. Lake Maurepas Lake Maurepas is another large, snake-filled lake in Louisiana. The remote lake spans more than 15,000 acres and is home to over 18 different species of snake. A few of these snake types include the ball python, gray rat snake, glossy swamp snake and mud snake. Calcasieu Lake Calcasieu Lake sits on the Louisiana-Texas border and is located on the Chenier Coastal Plain. This lake has a natural surrounding, with a variety of wildlife thriving within its marsh habitat. Nearly 26 species of snake inhabit Calcasieu Lake, some include the eastern copperhead, timber rattlesnake, northern cottonmouth, Texas coral snake and glossy swamp snake. Lake Claiborne Lake Claiborne is a man-made lake that covers approximately 6,400 acres. This lake is home to approximately 26 different types of snakes, including Graham's crayfish snake, diamondback water snake, rough earth snake, flat-headed snake, Texas coral snake and the pygmy rattlesnake. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Which Louisiana lakes have the most snakes? Snake infested lakes here Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top 5 stories from the Shreveport Times this week: Louisiana snakes, rodents on traps at restaurants
It has been a busy week in the news cycle for the Shreveport-Bossier area. If you need a refresher on what you missed, here are the top five stories from the Shreveport Times. Louisiana lakes with the highest snake populations according to WorldAtlas Louisiana is home to approximately 48 species of snakes, and seven of those species are venomous. In Louisiana lakes, the most common non-venomous snakes that are found include the banded water snake, the diamond back water snake and the common garter snake. Conversely, the most common venomous snakes found in Louisiana lakes include cottonmouths, also referred to as water moccasins, and copperheads. Rodents on traps, dirty surfaces | Top Caddo Parish restaurant inspections June 22-28 The Times obtained food safety inspection information for the week of June 22-28, 2025, from the Louisiana Department of Health. The top three addresses with the most critical violations in Caddo Parish are listed, along with an explanation of the finding. All restaurants on the list had at least three critical violations. When will it cool down in Louisiana? Fall 2025 weather forecast by Old Farmer's Almanac This year, fall will officially begin on Monday, Sept. 22, which marks the arrival of the vernal equinox. For the deep South, which includes Louisiana, September and October are predicted to be warmer than normal, with below-normal rainfall in the north and near-normal amounts in the South, says The Old Farmer's Almanac. Study reveals the most stolen vehicle in each state. Find out Louisiana's most stolen car More than 850,000 vehicles were stolen in the United States, with an average of one car being stolen every 37 seconds, in 2024 alone. The most stolen car in Louisiana is a Hyundai Elantra, with approximately 360 vehicles stolen, according to the 2024 auto-theft insurance claims filed with the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In Louisiana, Bill Cassidy raises mountain of cash to defend seat against MAGA Republicans Louisiana incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy continues to build a mountain of money to defend his seat in 2026 against at least two GOP opponents who question his MAGA credentials. Cassidy's campaign announced Louisiana's senior senator will report $9 million cash on hand after raising $2.1 million more in the second quarter. More: Top 5 stories from the Shreveport Times this week: Friendliest small town, cotton in Louisiana Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Top 5 stories from the Shreveport Times this week: Louisiana snakes, rodents on traps at restaurants Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Don't reach under that log! See which venomous snakes to look out for in Illinois
Summer vacation typically involves plans of camping, hiking, tubing and more, meaning some Illinois residents may come face-to-face with creatures they're not used to – such as snakes. Though your instinct may be to fear them, very few of the state's native species are harmful, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. You just need to know how to correctly interact with and identify them while in their home territory. Here's a look at what snakes you might find around Illinois and what to do if you spot them. Are there venomous snakes in Illinois? Only four of Illinois' 40 native snake species are venomous, according to the IDNR. Here's what to look out for: Found throughout southern Illinois. Average length of 24 to 36 inches with a flattened head wider than its neck and ridged scales. The snake has a copper-red head, red-brown or yellow-brown body and hour-glass markings across the back when viewed from above. They prefer forests and river bluffs. Found mostly in southern and western regions of Illinois. Average length of 36-60 inches in length. A flat head much wider than the neck with a rattle at the tip of its tail and ridged scales. The body is gray, yellow or green-white with a series of dark bands along the back and a rust-colored stripe in the middle of the back. A dark bar may be found between the eye and jaw. Northern Cottonmouth: Found in swamps and wetlands in the southern tip of Illinois. Averages 30-42 inches in length with a flat head much wider than its neck. Ridged scales with plain black or brown coloring and little evidence of a pattern. Some have dim crossbands across the back. Found in prairie wetlands and river flood plains in the Chicago metro area, as well as parts of central Illinois. Average length of 18-30 inches with flat head much wider than its neck and ridged scales. The snake has a rattle at the tip of its tail, a row of dark blotches down its back and three rows of dark spots on the sides. The body is gray. Non-venomous snake species found in Illinois Here's a list of the remaining nonvenomous snake species found in Illinois: Scarletsnake North American Racer Coachwhip Prairie Kingsnake Eastern Kingsnake Milksnake Rough Greensnake Smooth Greensnake Great Plains Ratsnake Western Foxsnake Gray Ratsnake Eastern Foxsnake Gophersnake Flat-Headed Snake Common Wormsnake Western Wormsnake Ring-Necked Snake Red-Bellied Mudsnake Western Hog-Nosed Snake Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake Kirtland's Snake Mississippi Green Watersnake Plain-Bellied Watersnake Southern Watersnake Diamond-Backed Watersnake Common Watersnake Graham's Crayfish Snake Queensnake DeKay's Brownsnake Red-Bellied Snake Western Ribbonsnake Plains Gartersnake Eastern Ribbonsnake Common Gartersnake Lined Snake Smooth Earthsnake What to do if you see a snake The Illinois Poison Center and IDNR recommend avoiding the following actions if you find yourself in areas with snakes: Intentionally handling a snake Attempting to trap or feed a wild snake Touching a snake that appears dead (freshly killed snakes can bite) Stepping on a snake in the wild Reaching under or stepping over rocks or logs (look around before sitting) The two organizations recommend wearing leather boots in areas known to house venomous snakes. What to do if a snake bites you The IPC recommends the following actions if you are bitten by a snake: Immobilize the affected limb. Remove any jewelry such as rings, bracelets and watches. Do not apply ice or heat, tight tourniquet, electric shocks, conduct oral suctioning or make incisions to the bite area. Go to the nearest emergency department immediately. You can speak to toxicology experts through the IPC's helpline 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222. Snakebite symptoms Here's a list of venomous snakebite symptoms, according to the IPC: Rapid progressive swelling Severe pain Redness on skin Broken blood vessel or bruised appearance Large blisters Bleeding Tissue ulceration Tingling of the mouth, hands and feet Drop in blood pressure or shock Respiratory failure Weakness and sweating Nausea and vomiting Are venomous snake bites deadly? Venomous snake bites are usually not deadly, but are painful and can cause swelling, nausea and the risk of infection, according to the IDNR. If you are bitten, go to a hospital for treatment immediately. Jenny Porter Tilley contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Does Illinois have venomous snakes? What to do if you see one, get bit Solve the daily Crossword
