Although Mississippi is well-known for its renowned river, it has other bodies of water as well.
The Mississippi lakes are ideal for boating, swimming, and fishing. It’s important to keep an eye out for snakes whether you’re going to camp on the serene beaches of a Mississippi lake or have a fun day at the beach.
Numerous venomous snake species can ruin a day out in Mississippi and necessitate prompt medical attention. Watch out for these reptiles, particularly by the lake.
Horn Lake
The meandering and cutting of a previous Mississippi River channel created Horn Lake, Mississippi, an oxbow lake.
This candy cane-shaped lake, which was once a portion of the Mississippi River, is also referred to as Mud Lake by the locals.
Apex Wildlife Control is one of the snake removal services available in this town. The eyes of venomous snakes feature slit pupils that resemble the pupils of a cat at repose, and their heads are trapezoidal with pointy snouts.
The pupils of non-venomous snakes are typically circular, and their heads have blunter snouts. The cottonmouth, a brown snake with darker brown bands that is typically found near water, is the most prevalent venomous snake in Mississippi.
The white within their jaws, which frequently “gape” when they feel threatened, is what gives cottonmouths their name.
Enid Lake
Despite its small size, Enid Lake is home to some large snakes. Over the years, people have seen them in this lake; some are big enough to maybe lift their heads over the sides of tiny boats.
Even though some poisonous snake species can swim, the big snakes seen in Enid Lake were probably common watersnakes, which are sometimes confused with cottonmouths.
Although elder snakes may darken to the point of becoming entirely black, water snakes are typically yellow with brown stripes widely apart on their body.
In the wild, they can reach a length of 4.5 feet and have bellies that are white, yellow, or gray with reddish or black crescents. Both during the day and at night, these watersnakes are active and prefer to hunt insects, frogs, and tiny fish at the water’s edge.
Although they will slide into the water if disturbed, you can frequently observe them lounging on lakeshores or the banks of streams. Their bite might hurt, but they are not poisonous.
Grenada Lake
The wildlife of Grenada Lake is well-known. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks oversees the management of this 35,000-acre lake to guarantee a safe and healthy environment for the species that call it home.
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Numerous coral snakes can be found in Grenada Lake as a result of this flourishing habitat.
The ones seen in Mississippi have striking colors, with a yellow band around the head and alternating broad red and black bands that are divided by small yellow bands.
These only come to the surface during rainy seasons, spending the majority of their time hidden beneath the earth or foliage.
Despite being venomous, coral snakes are not violent and hardly ever bite; in fact, less than 1% of treated snake bites in the US are caused by them.
Sardis Lake
Adjacent to the Sardis Dam, Sardis Lake is a reservoir on the Little Tallahatchie River. Its sandy beaches and great fishing, which include plenty of bass, catfish, bluegill, sunfish, and crappie to capture, make it a favorite among the locals.
But Sardis Lake is located in a region where rattlesnakes are common. Every time it molts, the snake adds to the interlocking scales at the end of its tail, giving these venomous serpents their distinctive rattle.
Though they can only attack when coiled, rattlesnakes are poisonous, so whether you’re hiking around the lake or playing golf, keep an eye out for these tan and brown-striped snakes.
Keeping Safe in the Area The Snakes of Mississippi
Although the Mississippi lakes are stunning, the fauna can be hazardous. But because they frequently consume mice and other pests that might overrun a region without natural predation, snakes are an important component of the ecology.
When hiking around a Mississippi lake’s shoreline, woodlands, or marshes, exercise caution.
You should also be cautious when turning over logs or reaching beneath rock formations. Call 911 or get emergency medical help right away if you are bitten by a snake.
