It’s illegal to kill certain snakes in GA. Here’s which ones and why

It’s snake season in the South and as temperatures rise, so will snake encounters.

If you see one slithering around, you might be tempted to do away with it, but before you do, there are some things to know.

Is it illegal to kill a snake in GA?

Yes, or some snakes, at least.

“In Georgia, it is illegal to possess or kill many of the state’s non-game wildlife species, including non-venomous snakes,” according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

GA DNR also said it is illegal for people to disturb or destroy snake dens or use explosives, chemicals or other materials to get snakes out and this includes venomous snakes, too.

So, what should you do instead if you see a snake?

What to do if you see a snake

Here are some tips:

• You can try to identify it from a distance. Resources such as georgiawildlife.com/georgiasnakes, which includes DNR’s “Venomous Snakes of Georgia” brochure, can help.
• Do not attempt to handle the snake. Give it the space it needs.
• Remember that snakes are predators that feed on small mammals, amphibians, insects and even other snakes. There is no need to fear non-venomous snakes.

Did you know about this law? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

Chelsea Madden

The Telegraph

Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.