THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
PUNGO — Farmer Bruce Henley and his son had a surprise while hunting last month.
“Dad, look,” said Gavin Henley, 14.
A cottonmouth was curled up a few feet off the ground in a myrtle bush.
That was on Thursday, Jan. 19, and it came not long after another cottonmouth sighting by Bruce Henley. While relatively rare in the winter months, coming across a snake is not unheard of this time of year in an area in which weather varies.
“I’ve always heard people say a cottonmouth is first to come out in the spring and the last one in the fall,” Henley said.
At Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, snake sightings can occur in winter.
“We did see snakes every month of the year, as long as it’s warm,” Erica Ryder, visitor services specialist at the refuge, said on Thursday, Feb. 2. “It’s definitely not unusual in January.”
Cottonmouths can be hardy – though they may be lethargic this time of year. Ryder recommends taking a step back and giving any snake plenty of space.
“Keep an eye out because you might see them on that walk,” Ryder said.
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