NC snakes wandering amid drought; Repticon in Raleigh offers safe viewing

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]And with the weather getting warmer, many of you are getting outdoors for hikes and you know, also walks along the Greenway, but some are also getting surprised by snakes slithering across sidewalks, curling up near creeks, or even making unexpected appearances in backyards. CBS 17's Baron James talks with experts at Repticon who explained how our months-long drought is playing a key role.

[00:00:26]Cold-blooded creatures caught on camera up close and personal.

[00:00:32]And for some people and the snakes themselves, it can be a little too close for comfort. They're either going to do fight or flight. So, if you're too close and they feel threatened, they could strike or they'll rattle their tail to warn you. But most of the time snakes are going to give you so many warnings before they strike you.

[00:00:48]>> Rattlers and boas and ball pythons, oh my. They are a huge benefit to us and they kill rodents, which takes down the pest population, the flea and tick population. While these snakes are safely confined here at Repticon in Raleigh, experts say many people across the triangle are seeing more of these slitherers out in the wild and in neighborhoods not looking for trouble, but simply trying to survive during our ongoing drought. Snakes are like you and I, they want a good water source. They kind of migrate out and try to find better water. Also, their natural prey is attracted to water sources, so they're trying to find them, too. So, as things have stayed dry over the past month plus, they have slowly but surely migrated out. But as things get wetter once again, they'll likely start going back to creeks, rivers, and things like that. Wildlife officials say copperheads, rat snakes, king snakes, and water snakes are among the species most commonly spotted in the triangle this time of year. We provide captive-bred quality reptiles.

[00:01:51]>> Meanwhile, during Repticon at the State Fairgrounds this Memorial Day weekend, this massive family-friendly traveling expo brings together these show animals, including lizards, amphibians, and just about every reptile imaginable from around the world. Their breeders, educators, and enthusiasts participate in expert seminars and host live encounters with the creatures for visitors to safely interact with them and maybe even purchase one or more of these exotic pets.

[00:02:21]>> We do New Caledonian geckos, Australian species of geckos, and skinks, ball pythons, and hognose snakes.

[00:02:27]>> The event organizers hope Repticon helps people separate snake facts from snake fiction. Experts say most snakes in North Carolina are non-venomous and avoid humans whenever possible. So, if you see a snake outside, most of the time just leave it alone. It's going to go and do its own thing. It doesn't want to interact with you. It doesn't want to hurt you. It's not going to chase you.

[00:02:48]It's not going to bite you. They want to do their own thing and go the opposite direction of you. Still, wildlife officers recommend you watch your step, avoiding tall grass, and never attempting to handle or charm unfamiliar snakes because one wrong move could leave you in very serious condition.

[00:03:06]Usually that's what happens with copperheads, which is why so many copperhead bites happen. In Raleigh, Baron James, CBS 17 news. And something else to keep in mind tonight, it's illegal to kill, harm, or even harass snake harass snake species that are listed as endangered or threatened. Offenders could end up with a class two misdemeanor fines and jail time.