TYLER, Texas — During the summertime, snakes are very common in East Texas.
Inland Fisheries South District Supervisor, Richard Ott, says in East Texas snake season is all year long because of the fluctuating temperatures.
"They're very well camouflaged and the reason we don't see them is that typically they're aware of us before we are of them," Ott said. "They will hide and try to avoid you."
In East Texas, there are plenty of places for snakes to creep up on you. That is why Ott says you should always be aware.
"They're wild animals, they're going to bite in defense even if they're not venomous snakes."
It is also important to be prepared to see these wild animals during severe weather.
"The river bottoms flood, it floods those snakes up to upland areas and people come in more contact with them then they would have other times," Ott said.
There are a few things that you can do to protect yourself.
Ott says if you are walking in the woods and see a log or any other object, it is best to walk around it. He says it can be hard to tell what could be on the other side.
Ott also recommends wearing proper shoes for better protection.
"Flip flops or clogs are not the thing to wear, a pair of boots that will cover your ankle," Ott explained. "Something that might be midway up the leg, it gives you a lot more protection."
If you see a snake, Ott says to back away slowly because most snake bites happen when people mess with a snake. If you happen to get bit, you should go to a hospital.
"If it's at all possible and you are bitten by a snake and you don't know if it's venomous or nonvenomous you want to photograph it," Ott said. "You have to collect it because the doctors going to need to know how to treat that bite."
Another tip on how to tell if a snake is poisonous after you have been bitten, is the shape of the bite mark.
"A horseshoe shaped ring with little pinpricks in your skin, it's not a venomous snake bite," Ott explained. "Two parallel fang marks, then they're going to be concerned it's a venomous snake."