Watching a copperhead snake creep its manner into the yard might just be the stuff of nightmares for some people.
Those who are fearful may need to run away and scream, arms flailing in the air. Others may be tempted to take issues into their own arms and attack it.
But did you know South Carolina has a law defending snakes? If you kill one at the flawed time at the flawed place, there is a price you’ll have to pay.
Can I kill a snake in SC?
According to S.C. state law, it is unlawful to kill any snake on public land. Doing so is a misdemeanor and can carry a wonderful of $200 or 30 days in jail (Title 51-Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Chapter 3, State Parks, Sec. 51-3-145 (B)).
What should I do if a snake is on my property?
If you are nervous about the security of your children and pets, you have the proper to kill a snake on your land. However, this is not advisable since most snake bites happen when people are making an attempt to kill a snake.
So what should you do instead?
“The best thing to do is to get a water hose. Snakes don’t like trauma, so if you get a cold water hose and you just spray them really hard, they’re going to head in the other direction,” Trish Hobbs, park coordinator at Reed Creek Nature Park in Martinez, Georgia, advised WRDW News 12.
Eastern Coral Snake, It’s typically confused with the equally marked innocent king snake.
What snake species are venomous in SC?
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Eastern diamondback snake
Why are snakes good for SC’s atmosphere?
Despite some residents’ concern of snakes ― venomous or not ― snakes have an important position to play in S.C.’s ecosystem.
This is why the previous saying “The only good snake is a dead snake” wants to go away.
Snakes are both predator and prey and serve as a food source for birds, mammals, and other reptiles, per U.S. Army. They also eat birds, mammals, amphibians, fish, and bugs ― as effectively as small pests like rodents and slugs.
The snake’s half in the circle of life helps to stop the overpopulation of panorama due to most pest species, which cause injury to properties, gardens, and farms. These pest species can also unfold illnesses.
“Looking even further beyond those plusses, snakes have medicinal, educational, and aesthetic values in various capacities,” said U.S. Army.
Are snakes good friend of foe? The reply might rely on who you ask. But if a snake is minding its own business, it is most likely best to respect this cool creature and go away it alone in nature.
Pictured above are the Eastern Copperhead by Linh Phu (left); Timber Rattlesnake by Scott Smith (proper).
Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via e-mail at ntran@gannett.com
This article initially appeared on Greenville News: Can I kill a copperhead in my yard in SC? What to know about state law
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