Snakes of The Villages

03/19/2026

Thanks for all of your supportive comments! Today was release day for the Racer! Please join me in sending good wishes that he avoids people and glue traps for the remainder of his days ❤️

03/16/2026

A very loud and thankful shout out to Community Watch Dispatch for contacting the page immediately when a resident in The Village of Winifred found a harmless Black Racer stuck in a sticky trap. Removing animals from glue is a long, tedious process and this was no exception.

We start by covering the open remaining glue with flour to prevent the snake (and my wrists and knuckles) from getting restuck as we're working. Then, we begin the slow process of dissolving the glue with oil (you can use any edible oil, I used extra virgin olive oil because that's all I had on hand). This is the slow part - we massage the oil into the glue gently, being extra careful not to pull or rub too aggressively as that can rip skin. Once the trap and all of the sticky residue are completely removed, we use a few drops of Dawn dish soap in warm water to remove the oil.

As you can probably imagine, struggling to get free while you're restrained is exhausting. And being handled, even gently, for hours while getting the glue removed is super stressful. Because of this, I'll be keeping Mr Racer overnight so he can rest and regain his strength, and will return him tomorrow to a suitable environment outdoors and away from glue traps.

Thanks again, Dispatcher Donna. Without you, this snake would not have survived. ❤️

03/13/2026

Just evicted this handsome young man from under a resident's refrigerator in Saddlebrook. ** A reminder to check the weather stripping under your doors (including those sliders) BEFORE you start finding animals inside :)

Southern Black Racer, Coluber constrictor priapus, harmless nonvenomous beneficial friend to have outdoors. Feeds primarily on lizards and other small reptiles (even other snakes, including the venomous species). The most common snake found in The Villages.

03/10/2026

01/08/2026

Reminder: Snakes brumate, they don't hibernate. And that means - they only seek shelter during our coldest times, but can be out and about anytime the weather is mild and sunny, all year long.

Despite it only being January, our near 80° temps had this juvenile Watersnake out exploring, hunting for frogs and other small amphibians this afternoon - when it accidentally explored itself right into a neighbor's bird cage!

If you see a snake and have a question, or if either you or the snake need assistance, please feel free to contact me anytime.

Photo: Florida (Banded) Watersnake, Nerodia fasciata pictiventris, harmless

08/26/2025

When I tell you the snake in your neighbor's photo really isn't 10 feet long, this is what I mean :)

08/22/2025

Alligators have inhabited Florida for many centuries and are found in all 67 counties.

Remember:
📌 Always assume alligators are present in any body of water.
📌 Never feed them.
📌 Keep your distance.
📌 Swim only in designated areas, only during daylight hours.
📌 Keep small children and pets away from the water’s edge.

08/08/2025

When seeing a snake on their lanai, some people scream and request it be relocated to the next county and some people hang a housewarming sign above its little hole in the screen door 🥰