The mild weather North Texas has experienced for the last few seasons has not only been favorable for vegetation, but for breeding Water Moccasins as well.
Texas Park and Wildlife Department have expressed concern over the boom of these venomous snakes in close proximity to newly developed residential areas. Populations are up across the state, but especially concerning is the number of Water Moccasins that have been witnessed and captured in South Arlington and Mansfield area.
“We typically capture one to two venomous snakes once sitings are reported to our office.” says Texas Game Warden, John Baker while capturing snakes at Lynn Creek Linear Park in Arlington. “For June we have already retrieved 22 Cottonmouths from this creek alone.”
Officials are still trying to understand the unusually high numbers that are focusing on this small area of North Texas. Populations of the venomous snakes in this area is estimated to be between 10,000 – 15,000 for 2017, up from 4,000 in 2016 and 100 – 300 averages in the years prior to 2015.
Texas Park and Wildlife Department recommend that residents near creeks and lakes keep a watchful eye, as the growing number of snakes in Texas have caused the usually territorial snakes to venture farther away from waterways and into suburban areas.