Finding a clutch of snake eggs can be an alarming experience for any homeowner or gardener. Although the majority of snakes pose little threat, the mystery of what might emerge from those eggs can cause anxiety.
If you happen upon a bundle of snake eggs, the most important things are to remain calm, avoid disturbing the eggs, and identify what species laid them if possible. This will allow you to determine if they belong to a venomous snake that requires removal, or a harmless variety that can be left undisturbed.
Identifying the Snake Species
Look for Nearby Signs of the Parent Snake
If you find snake eggs but don’t see an adult snake nearby, look around carefully for signs that can help you identify the species. Check for snake skins, droppings, tracks, or other evidence. The color and pattern of the skin can offer clues about the snake’s appearance.
Droppings can also indicate the snake’s diet.
Inspect the surroundings closely, including under logs, rocks, and debris piles where an adult snake may be hiding. Keep a safe distance if you spot the parent snake, and use binoculars or a camera zoom to observe its features.
Knowing what the adult snake looks like makes it easier to figure out the species.
Research Common Snake Species in Your Area
Make a list of snakes native to your region that lay eggs. Consult field guides, websites, and experts to learn about their key identification features, habitats, nesting behaviors, egg appearance, and time of year when egg-laying occurs.
Compare what you know about the eggs you found to the egg-laying habits of local species. For example, rat snakes typically lay about a dozen white eggs in rotting logs in summer. So if you found 15 pale, leather-like eggs under a log in June, that’s a clue you may be dealing with a rat snake nest.
Consult an Expert if Needed
If you are still unsure about the species, reach out to local wildlife officials and scientists for assistance. Herpetologists can often identify snake eggs just by examining photos. Provide details about exactly where the eggs were found and any other observations that could aid identification.
Physically collecting the eggs or disturbing the nest risks harming vulnerable snake young. So first consider less invasive options like taking photos from a distance. Only gather an egg if essential for identification and under guidance from experts.
Knowing the snake species is key for taking appropriate next steps. Some snakes are harmless, while others may be venomous or threatened. Proper identification ensures you handle the situation thoughtfully for both human and snake well-being.
Determine if the Eggs Are Venomous
Venomous Snakes Commonly Found Near Homes
When finding a clutch of snake eggs, it’s crucial to identify if they belong to a venomous species before proceeding. Some of the most dangerous snakes often found near suburban homes and backyards include:
- Copperheads – Commonly found east of the Rocky Mountains. Bites can cause severe pain, nausea, vomiting, and muscle damage.
- Cottonmouths – Inhabits wetlands and marshes of the southeastern US. Bites deliver painful venom that can cause tissue damage.
- Rattlesnakes – Widespread in the continental US. Bites inject hemotoxic venom that destroys blood cells and tissue.
- Coral snakes – Inhabit the southern US. Highly venomous; bites can cause respiratory failure.
These snakes tend to lay eggs in hidden, undisturbed spots like under bushes, in wood piles, compost heaps, or garden debris. If eggs are discovered in these areas around the home, exercise extreme care as they may belong to venomous species.
Precautions if Eggs are From a Venomous Species
Upon determining eggs belong to a venomous snake, proper precautions are vital for safety:
- Do not attempt to touch or move the eggs, as hatchlings may be toxic at birth.
- Clear the area of pets and children to avoid accidental contact.
- Contact a professional wildlife removal service to safely remove and relocate the eggs.
- If eggs have hatched, look for baby snakes hidden nearby. Avoid tall grass and check boots/gloves before use.
- Be alert and watch for the mother snake returning to the nest.
- Call emergency services if someone is bitten to receive rapid antivenom treatment.
Venomous snake eggs require professionals to handle removal, as these species pose serious risks if threatened. According to the CDC, roughly 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the US each year, so all precautions must be taken (CDC).
Some key facts on venomous snake eggs:
Incubation Period | 45-60 days |
Clutch Size | 4-20 eggs |
Hatchling Size | 7-14 inches |
Time Until Venomous | At birth |
Being able to identify venomous snake eggs can literally save lives. Always exercise extreme caution and contact experts for removal. With proper precautions, venomous snake eggs can be dealt with safely.
Removing or Relocating the Eggs
Supplies Needed for Safe Removal
When removing snake eggs, it’s crucial to have the proper supplies to ensure the safety of both you and the eggs. Here is a list of recommended items: sturdy gloves to protect your hands, a flat shovel and trowel for carefully scooping eggs, a large bucket or container lined with a soft cloth to place the eggs, and moist paper towels or a spray bottle to keep the eggs from drying out.
Some sources also suggest having snake-handling tools like hooks on hand just in case the mother snake is still guarding the nest.
Choose an Appropriate New Location
Choosing where to relocate the snake eggs requires careful consideration. The new site should mimic the moisture, temperature, and land features where the eggs were found as closely as possible. Good options could be areas near ponds or streams with plenty of leaf litter or rotting wood shelter.
You’ll also want the spot to be secluded from human activity. Herpetological experts advise placing eggs found together in one clutch rather than separating them. Be sure to bury them at the appropriate depth underground once moved.
Carefully Transfer the Entire Clutch
When handling the snake eggs, be extremely cautious. As one guide explains, the embryo inside the egg is attached to the top portion of the shell. Flipping or jostling the eggs too much could detach and potentially kill the developing snakes. Use both hands to gently pick up and transport eggs.
Some sources recommend placing a layer of soil from the original nest site in the bottom of the transport container to mimic the temperature and moisture level the eggs are accustomed to. Keep the journey to the new nest location brief to avoid jeopardizing the clutch.
By following these guidelines for supplies, new location selection, and clutch transfer, reptile enthusiasts can successfully relocate snake egg clutches without endangering the mother snake or her future offspring.
Be sure to contact wildlife professionals if you have any concerns during the process. With proper care and caution, you can ensure both human and snake safety when removing eggs found on your property.
Leaving the Eggs Undisturbed
Create a Small Protected Area
If you discover a snake nest with eggs, the best course of action is often to leave the eggs alone. Creating a small protected area around the nest can allow the eggs to hatch undisturbed. Use objects like boards, boxes, or fencing to encircle the area within 3-6 feet of the nest.
This creates a buffer zone that deters curious humans or animals from disturbing the sensitive eggs. Be sure not to fully enclose the area, as the parent snake will need access to care for the eggs. The key is limiting external interference without trapping the eggs or preventing natural behaviors.
Avoid Disturbing the Nest Site
It’s critical to avoid disturbing or touching the actual snake eggs if possible. Snake eggs have sensitive membranes, and even small vibrations or movements can kill the developing embryos inside. Unless the eggs appear damaged or nonviable, do not attempt to handle or relocate them.
Mother snakes often choose nesting sites with specific temperature and humidity levels that are optimized for incubation. Moving the eggs can prevent proper development, so they are safest if left completely alone. Studies show that survival rates for snake eggs decrease by over 30% when humans interfere with nests.
Here are some tips for avoiding disturbance:
- Do not attempt to uncover or view eggs if they are partially buried
- When maintaining the area, walk softly without loud noises or vibrations
- Instruct children and pets to avoid entering the protected zone
With appropriate caution, you can create minimal disruption for the mother snake who returns periodically to check on the nest.
Let Nature Take its Course
Snake eggs have resilient natural defense mechanisms. Their leathery shells and antimicrobial coatings evolved to protect growing embryos in diverse environments. Given adequate space and isolation, most snake eggs experience high success rates without human intervention.
According to wildlife experts, survival probabilities rise from 60% to over 95% when nests are simply marked and avoided.
Additionally, mother snakes play an intricate nurturing role. The expectant snake monitors humidity, temperature, and oxygen levels, adjusting the nesting environment and rotation of eggs as needed. She may even stay with the eggs for periods of time to defend the area.
By leaving snake eggs untouched, you enable this delicate natural process to continue unencumbered.
Letting nature take its course also allows the resulting hatchlings to emerge undisturbed. This gives the healthiest start to these young snakes as they set off on the next stage of their life cycle.
Snake Egg Survival Rates | With Human Interference | Without Human Interference |
During Incubation | ~65% | ~98% |
At Hatching Stage | ~55% | ~94% |
So if you spot a snake nest on your property, remember – these eggs have evolved impressive defense mechanisms. By simply avoiding disturbance and allowing natural processes to continue, you give the eggs and hatchlings their best chances at survival.
Let nature take its course, while safeguarding the isolated nest area.
Preventing Future Nesting Sites
Clear Debris and Brush Around Your Home
Snakes often seek out areas with plenty of coverage and hiding spots to build their nests. By clearing away debris, stacks of wood, brush piles and overgrown vegetation around your home, you eliminate ideal nesting locations for snakes.
Use rakes, hoes and pruning shears to remove leaves, sticks and other natural materials where snakes could hide. Trim back bushes, shrubs and dense ground cover growing up against your home’s foundation. The tidier your yard is, the less enticing it will be for nesting snakes.
Seal Up Access Points and Small Openings
Snakes can squeeze into incredibly tight spaces to access crawl spaces, attics and basements. Close off any openings larger than 1/4-inch around your home’s foundation and exterior walls. Use steel wool, caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks and gaps.
Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair damaged screens. Cover up vents with fine mesh wire mesh. Contact a professional exterminator who specialize in snakes to inspect your home’s exterior for vulnerabilities that snakes could exploit to enter the interior.
Use Wildlife Deterrents if Necessary
For yards that border on snake-friendly habitats like marshes and woodlands, additional deterrents may be needed to discourage snakes from nesting nearby. Strategically place mothballs around the perimeter of your yard, concentrating them near potential access points like fence holes.
You can also install commercially available snake repellents that emit frequencies that are irritating and disorienting for snakes. Speak with our home wildlife experts to devise a customized deterrent plan for your property.
While discovering snake eggs on your property can be an alarming surprise, taking proactive prevention measures will help deters future nests. By eliminating attractive hiding spots, sealing entry points and using repellents, you can humanely and safely discourage snake habitation in your yard.
With some diligence, your outdoor space can become far less accommodating for these uninvited visitors.
Conclusion
Discovering a snake nest on your property can be unsettling, but in many cases leaving the eggs untouched is the best approach. If they do belong to a dangerous species, take proper precautions during removal and when selecting a relocation site.
With some awareness of snake behaviors and sensible animal deterrents, you can often prevent snakes from laying eggs near your home altogether.