Most folks don’t think much of a good ol’ snake. They’re a pure nuisance to many, with their slithery bodies and cold stares. In Tennessee, you’ll find a snake anywhere from the front garden to the back fields to the loamy loop of the Cumberland River, and since it’s springtime you need to take proper precautions. Learn all about Tennesse’s relationship with snakes below, and chime in with your own experiences and tips in the comments.

Tim Lumley - Flickr Tennessee is well known for its topographical beauty and the expansive amount of wildlife that calls the Volunteer State home. There are many creatures up in those hills, from reptiles to bobcats to work animals on the farm.

Carol VanHook - Flickr But there, just there, hidden in the grass…just might be a snake. There are 32 varieties of snakes in the state of Tennessee, but thankfully only four of them are venomous. “Snake Season,” however, tends to run from April to October.

Hunter Desportes - Flickr The Copperhead snake is known for its venomous bite, and it’s actually the snake that causes the most injury on an annual basis. Keep in mind, however, that though Copperhead venom is fairly mild, they should still be given space and respected. Copperhead snakes cause roughly 12 to 15 deaths every year.

Dennis Church - Flickr Most deaths come about due to pre-existing conditions. Still, it’s important to be careful out there. A majority of snake bites in Tennessee are caused by humans that try to handle snakes or do not step away after encountering them. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you give snakes and other wildlife the space and respect they deserve.

Lisa Zins - Flickr Early spring is when they begin to stir in dark and quiet places. Snakes begin to emerge with the sun, and remain largely active through the warmer months. Make sure your property is clear of debris, and that your fields and lawns are mowed. When left alone, snakes help keep the rodent population down and can keep certain pests out of living spaces.

Cam Lund - Flickr Give snakes the space and respect they deserve, because they help to maintain Tennessee’s delicate ecosystem. Since only four snakes in Tennessee are venomous - including the copperhead and timber rattlesnake - that little guy you found in your garden is most likely harmless. Step away, be safe, and take care of your own.

If you’re looking for more natural facts about Tennessee, then be sure to check out our archives.

Tim Lumley - Flickr

Tennessee is well known for its topographical beauty and the expansive amount of wildlife that calls the Volunteer State home. There are many creatures up in those hills, from reptiles to bobcats to work animals on the farm.

Carol VanHook - Flickr

But there, just there, hidden in the grass…just might be a snake. There are 32 varieties of snakes in the state of Tennessee, but thankfully only four of them are venomous. “Snake Season,” however, tends to run from April to October.

Hunter Desportes - Flickr

The Copperhead snake is known for its venomous bite, and it’s actually the snake that causes the most injury on an annual basis. Keep in mind, however, that though Copperhead venom is fairly mild, they should still be given space and respected. Copperhead snakes cause roughly 12 to 15 deaths every year.

Dennis Church - Flickr

Most deaths come about due to pre-existing conditions. Still, it’s important to be careful out there. A majority of snake bites in Tennessee are caused by humans that try to handle snakes or do not step away after encountering them. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure you give snakes and other wildlife the space and respect they deserve.

Lisa Zins - Flickr

Early spring is when they begin to stir in dark and quiet places. Snakes begin to emerge with the sun, and remain largely active through the warmer months. Make sure your property is clear of debris, and that your fields and lawns are mowed. When left alone, snakes help keep the rodent population down and can keep certain pests out of living spaces.

Cam Lund - Flickr

Give snakes the space and respect they deserve, because they help to maintain Tennessee’s delicate ecosystem. Since only four snakes in Tennessee are venomous - including the copperhead and timber rattlesnake - that little guy you found in your garden is most likely harmless. Step away, be safe, and take care of your own.

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Address: Tennessee, USA