Tutorial: How to Remove a Snake from Garden Netting
Garden netting is a popular and widely used method of landscaping used in gardens and backyards, to ponds, erosion control, and other residential, agricultural, and outdoor management activities. Unfortunately, however, snakes, as well as sometimes other reptiles and wildlife, can oftentimes become trapped or entangled in these forms of netting, and it may be very difficult or impossible for them to be able to free themselves. Snakes, or other animals caught in this netting, and if not freed or removed in a timely manner, can suffer from a prolonged death or discomfort caused by injuries, as well as exposure to the elements without having the ability to thermoregulate or otherwise be able to get away from cold or hot temperatures, or may be vulnerable to predators while trapped in this netting.
*Examples of Snakes Caught in Netting. © Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and WildCare.
Why are these types of netting bad for snakes and other wildlife? Which types of netting should be avoided, and which can be safer alternatives to use instead? How can you help free a snake one might have found to be trapped or entangled in this netting? In this tutorial, all of these questions will be addressed for the landscaper, homeowner, gardener, or other landowner who might find a snake on their property in this situation. Unfortunately, these types of netting problems are one of the most common predicaments wild or native snakes find themselves in as they attempt to hide underneath it, or get caught in it as they are on the move.
1. The simplest, most effective, and ideal solution would be to not use any sort of netting at all, whenever possible. However, this oftentimes may not be possible, in which case one should consider good forms of netting to use, rather than bad, or wildlife-unfriendly forms of netting.
Good Netting to Use: If covering a pond, or other section of the ground, a more rigid, or plastic coated grille or grating-type netting rather than more flexible netting can be a safer alternative. These types of grills can oftentimes be fitted to one’s pond or other specifications, and some are also divided into more easily removable, interlocking sections to help with maintenance. Metal grating can also be another good alternative as well.
1. *Examples of Good, or Better Types of Netting that can be used which are either solid and more rigid, braided or of thicker diameter, or very fine, and in which snakes are much less likely to become entangled in.
2. Another good alternative netting to use would be a wide meshed, braided or cord type netting, making sure the mesh length (or distance between the strands) is at least 5 cm or more, and the cord diameter at least 3 mm or more. To locate these types of netting, ask one’s local garden or hardware center, garden contractor, or search for online suppliers. Chicken wire, or small animal housing mesh, which also tends to be rigid and inflexible, also generally poses little risk for snakes or other wildlife.
3. Yet another good alternative would be using netting with extremely fine mesh, of 0.5 cm or less or fleece mesh for protecting plants from low temperatures. Snakes and other wildlife rarely become entangled in this type of netting, which can also be used to protect garden plants or crops from insect pests.
Bad Netting to Use: Any flexible, plastic netting with a wire mesh of at least between 1 and 3 cm should be avoided whenever possible, as these forms of netting by far tend to be the most common types of netting snakes can become entangled in. If this specific type of netting absolutely must be used, there are still ways of preventing or lessening the likelihood of snakes encountering and becoming entrapped in it.
1. *Examples of “Bad” or more flexible netting in which to avoid, whenever possible. These are the most common types of loose netting in which snakes and other wildlife can become entangled in due to its flexibility and thread width or diameter.
2. If possible or practical, move or raise the netting off of the ground at least 15 cm or more, to lessen the likelihood of snakes encountering and becoming entangled in it. Keep the netting tight and taut at all times. Snakes are much more likely to become tangled in loose netting, so be sure to attach it firmly to fixed points and regularly double check it and re-tighten if necessary. Depending on where the netting is, one could use pegs or twine to better secure it. Finally, properly store any excess or unused netting in places indoors where snakes and other wildlife are much less likely to encounter it. Don’t store or dispose of netting outside on the ground. Always safely discard any unusable or old netting properly as well, where snakes and other wildlife cannot get into it.
How to Free a Snake Entangled in Netting
1. Properly Identify the Snake: First and foremost, be able to properly identify the snake. Both venomous and nonvenomous snakes can become entangled in netting depending on the area one lives in, and whether both may be present. If the snake happens to be a venomous species, do not attempt to free or handle the snake oneself if one does not have the proper training or experience with venomous reptiles! Doing so can be a potentially dangerous situation, as an entangled venomous snake is still fully capable of biting and causing an envenomation. In such instances, contact your state’s Department of Natural Resources, herpetological society, or other experienced and qualified individual! Also keep in mind that when it comes to identifying the snake, the many “rhymes”, “rules of thumb”, or other phrases which are out there (such as eye or pupil shape, head shape, etc.) are oftentimes not reliable and are of little to no use for determining whether a snake is venomous or not. When in doubt as to what species the snake may be, it is always best to consult the above resources!
2. Be Aware of the Snake’s Behaviors, Even if Nonvenomous: If the snake can be 100% positively identified to be a harmless, or nonvenomous species, further steps can be taken to remove the snake from the netting with relative safety. Keep in mind, however, that even many non-venomous snakes can still bite, defecate, or excrete a bad smelling substance called “musk” when they are threatened, as with any wild animal. Many snakes can also hiss loudly, rattle their tails, or engage in other startling defensive behaviors as well. If the snake has been identified to be a state or locally threatened, endangered, or otherwise legally protected species, also consult your state’s Department of Natural Resources for further instructions and assistance.
3. Some species of snakes will also “play dead”, or engage in death-feigning behaviors when threatened, as a natural defensive behavior. Some of these include, most notably, the dramatic Eastern Hognose Snake (Heterodon platirhinos), although some other snakes will also occasionally play dead, including some of the North American Racers and Coachwhips, Kingsnakes, and Milksnakes. If this is the case where a species of snake caught in netting known for death-feigning behaviors, is doing so, see step 8 below.
Carefully and Gently Restrain the Snake, if Needed: Depending on the extent of the entangling, or where the netting is on the snake, it may need to be carefully and safely restrained. This will prevent it from writhing and potentially injuring itself or becoming even more entangled in the netting, and also to prevent it from biting or striking. Restraining the snake behind its head using one’s thumb and index and middle fingers may also sometimes be required. Always be sure to not do so too tightly though, as snakes can be easily injured further if handled or restrained improperly. If possible, covering the snake’s head and ensuring it is in a dark environment can also help reduce the amount of stress the snake may be in.
1. *Examples of small, handheld clippers or scissors, or pocket knives which can be used to cut or snip entangled netting on a snake. Tools which are angled upwards or outwards are most ideal for being able to cut up and underneath the entangled netting.
2. Use the Proper Tools to Snip the Netting: The netting should then be begun to be cut away from around the snake’s body using a sharp edged tool, such as a small pocket knife, small pair of scissors or clippers, or nail scissors. Any excess netting not close to the snake can simply be cut away or trimmed down. Be sure to avoid cutting the snake itself, or pulling too hard on any constricting netting, which may cause additional injury to the snake. As the snake’s body is released or removed from the netting, be sure to properly restrain or support those portions of their bodies. Beware of any scales getting caught or further damaged in the netting. If the snake needs to be slid or moved through the netting in order to be freed, always do so from head to tail in the direction of their scales to prevent scales from being further snagged on the netting. Be aware that it oftentimes takes patience and careful deliverance to eventually remove all of the netting from the snake, depending on how badly or the extent to which it is entangled.
3. If the snake is too badly entangled to be able to be removed, or if one is not confident or comfortable enough to do so themselves, contacting your state’s Department of Natural Resources, or other local wildlife veterinarian or rescue and rehabilitation organization can certainly be another option or alternative, and for further instructions in doing so.
4. Examine and Assess the Snake Afterwards: If the snake appears to be in good condition, with no visible injuries, and has not been entangled in the netting for long, it can generally be safely re-released in a suitable area nearby to where it was found. Carefully examine the snake’s body to ensure that no individual strands or fibers of the netting (which oftentimes can be harder to see) are still remaining or may have been missed.
5. Snakes which have had embedded netting in their bodies may have cuts or other injuries from the netting, but in many cases, if the cuts are mild and superficial, the snake can still be re-released and usually be able to heal from these minor injuries on its own. Snakes and other reptiles have surprisingly remarkable abilities to heal from their injuries. If, however, the injuries appear to be more severe, deep, or pronounced, it may be best to consult with your local wildlife veterinarian, wildlife rescue, or rehabilitor. Whenever in doubt, always seek out these additional resources.|
6. Also keep in mind that even if a snake entangled in netting might not have any visible injuries afterwards, they can still suffer from stress and heat exhaustion, if entangled in the netting for too long. If the snake is still alive and in decent body condition, but appears weak, lethargic, or otherwise inactive, it may require additional opportunity to recover and recuperate. If this is the case, the snake can either be released in a quiet and secluded, shaded, or covered area with ready access to cover or shelter out of the elements and possible predators for the opportunity for it to recover and then move on its way, or can be kept temporarily in a secure, escape proof, and well-ventilated box or plastic container. Keep in mind that all snakes can be escape artists, and the last thing anyone would want would be the snake to escape or become loose in one’s house. Periodically check on the snake in several hours to monitor its alertness and progress. If the snake appears to be active, alert, and responsive, it can be safely re-released outside in a nearby suitable area. Whenever in doubt, consult your local wildlife veterinarian or wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization.