Snake sightings increase in NC. Here's what to do if you see one

It's getting warmer outdoors, and that means we could see more snakes on trails and in our own yards.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission released a statement Wednesday letting people know what to do if they encounter snakes.

Stay calm and steer clear of the snake, giving it plenty of room, N.C. wildlife officials said. If you want to encourage a snake to leave your property, you can gently spray it with a water hose.

People can make their yards less desirable for snakes by keeping them free of clutter, including trash, sticks or rock piles, keeping the lawn mowed and closing any gaps in the siding or foundation. You can also seal openings under doors, windows and around waterpipes.

Don't kill snakes, because they are an important part of our ecosystem.

“Snakes help control the rodent, slug and insect populations,” said Jeff Hall, reptile conservation biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Commission. “There are many ways we can coexist with snakes, which is important because of 38 of North Carolina’s native snake species, ten are listed endangered, threatened or of special concern.”

People are asked to report two types of snakes to the N.C. Wildlife Commission -- pine snakes and rattlesnakes.

Pine snakes should be reported because they are a threatened species. They are commonly found in the Sandhills and the southern Coastal Plain and live in open areas in forests with well-drained, sandy soil.

The non-venomous pine snake ranges between 4 and 5 feet long but can be longer. It has a white or tan color with dark brown or block markings that "begin as solid coloring or messy blotches near the head before gradually becoming distinct saddle-like blotches toward the tail," according to N.C. Wildlife.

If you see a pine snake, send an email to pinesnake@ncwildlife.org with a photo (required), date and time the snake was observed and location (GPS coordinates preferred).

How to identify North Carolina's snakes -- and steer clear of them