9/8 Article: Texas flooding also displacing snakes, fire ants and alligators By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff
08/31/2017
As Tropical Storm Harvey continues to drench southeast Texas and flood the Houston area, people aren't the only ones seeking higher ground. The wild animals are, too. Reports and images of swimming snakes and lurking alligators are making the rounds on social media, and some are not current or real. Some alligator photos were from 2016.
But the Houston area is home to thousands of American alligators that reside in streams and bayous, more than 20 species of snakes, billions of fire ants and plenty of deer, raccoons and other critters. All of them are struggling to escape the rising waters. With no Noah's Ark to ferry them away, they're showing up in some unusual spots, say Texas wildlife officials and professionals. They add that despite some animals' fearsome reputation, there's no reason to panic. "In Houston, you've got pretty much two things: Where you build, which is higher, and where you don't build, which is low. Wildlife is going to seek the higher areas, which happens to be the places where we build," said Kelly Norrid, a wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Mammals that don't want to be in the water may end up in an attic or garage, he said.
Stay Clear Of Alligators
Hundreds of thousands of alligators live in Texas, and they're concentrated on the swampy southeast coast. They don't do well in the colder, fast-moving rainwater that is rushing through the bayous, so some will migrate inland. But that doesn't mean the area is swarming with menacing gators. "We're hearing reports of 8-foot alligators in the front yard," Norrid said. "But that's not really unusual in southeast Texas." Chris Stephens said his alligator relocation company, Gator Squad, has gotten more calls from neighborhoods in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, where alligators aren't so common. But road closures mean he and his partner are able to respond only to life-threatening situations. They've removed just three gators since the flooding began. All were between 3 and 5 feet long.
Stephens said he's telling callers to stay calm, keep their distance and don't try for a photo with the animal. Those with a gator under their car might try nudging it with a long push broom, he said. David Steen is a reptile expert and assistant professor at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. He offered advice in an email. "A little common sense goes a long way. Be conscious of where you put your hands and feet and do not try to mess with animals," he said. A snake or alligator is not looking for a fight right now, he said. "They're trying to get through the storm, too."
Slithering Snakes
Norrid said the Houston area has 23 species and subspecies of snakes, all of which can swim. Many will scale buildings or trees to stay dry. Houston's Fox TV station posted a photo on Facebook of a snake slithering up a brick house. Steen identified it as a rat snake, a species that climbs frequently, so it might have just been doing its regular thing. Only five of the area's snake species are venomous, so most snakes pose little harm to humans. Snake bites usually happen when people catch, kill or bother the reptiles, Steen said.
Fire Ants Band Together
But if snakes aren't likely to hurt Texas flood victims, what about fire ants? Their painful attacks are common, and the insects are super flood survivors. The ants have a sting that can cause burning, blisters, scarring, infections and even death to those who are extra sensitive to their venom. And during floods, they're the ultimate teammates. Instead of drowning, the ants come together in the thousands to form floating rafts. These can be several feet wide, and in recent days images of their terrifying fleets have starred on social media.
Norrid did not hide his hatred for the ants, whose mere mention makes every Texan "cringe." He saw one of their islands on his street this weekend. Still, "it would be hard for me to advise someone go grab a can of Raid and spray at the water," he said. Best is to stay far from the insect boats.
Other Wildlife At Risk
The deer that munch their way through Houston are also seeking dry land. Norrid said he expects the waters to drown many deer, and their bodies are likely to attract another nightmarish insect situation once the water recedes: swarms of flies. "But hopefully the rest of nature will take its course and help clean the mess up: Coyotes and vultures" and more, he said. His main wildlife concern is for Houston's Mexican free-tailed bats, fast little animals that live in the crevices of more than 30 bridges. The Waugh Bridge near downtown is home to about 300,000 bats whose sunset emergence is considered a must-see local wildlife event. Water had submerged the underside of the bridge by Sunday. The Houston Chronicle reported that some bats were spotted on nearby buildings. A few hundred others were plucked from the bridge and water by rescuers.
But the Houston area is home to thousands of American alligators that reside in streams and bayous, more than 20 species of snakes, billions of fire ants and plenty of deer, raccoons and other critters. All of them are struggling to escape the rising waters. With no Noah's Ark to ferry them away, they're showing up in some unusual spots, say Texas wildlife officials and professionals. They add that despite some animals' fearsome reputation, there's no reason to panic. "In Houston, you've got pretty much two things: Where you build, which is higher, and where you don't build, which is low. Wildlife is going to seek the higher areas, which happens to be the places where we build," said Kelly Norrid, a wildlife biologist for Texas Parks and Wildlife. Mammals that don't want to be in the water may end up in an attic or garage, he said.
Stay Clear Of Alligators
Hundreds of thousands of alligators live in Texas, and they're concentrated on the swampy southeast coast. They don't do well in the colder, fast-moving rainwater that is rushing through the bayous, so some will migrate inland. But that doesn't mean the area is swarming with menacing gators. "We're hearing reports of 8-foot alligators in the front yard," Norrid said. "But that's not really unusual in southeast Texas." Chris Stephens said his alligator relocation company, Gator Squad, has gotten more calls from neighborhoods in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, where alligators aren't so common. But road closures mean he and his partner are able to respond only to life-threatening situations. They've removed just three gators since the flooding began. All were between 3 and 5 feet long.
Stephens said he's telling callers to stay calm, keep their distance and don't try for a photo with the animal. Those with a gator under their car might try nudging it with a long push broom, he said. David Steen is a reptile expert and assistant professor at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. He offered advice in an email. "A little common sense goes a long way. Be conscious of where you put your hands and feet and do not try to mess with animals," he said. A snake or alligator is not looking for a fight right now, he said. "They're trying to get through the storm, too."
Slithering Snakes
Norrid said the Houston area has 23 species and subspecies of snakes, all of which can swim. Many will scale buildings or trees to stay dry. Houston's Fox TV station posted a photo on Facebook of a snake slithering up a brick house. Steen identified it as a rat snake, a species that climbs frequently, so it might have just been doing its regular thing. Only five of the area's snake species are venomous, so most snakes pose little harm to humans. Snake bites usually happen when people catch, kill or bother the reptiles, Steen said.
Fire Ants Band Together
But if snakes aren't likely to hurt Texas flood victims, what about fire ants? Their painful attacks are common, and the insects are super flood survivors. The ants have a sting that can cause burning, blisters, scarring, infections and even death to those who are extra sensitive to their venom. And during floods, they're the ultimate teammates. Instead of drowning, the ants come together in the thousands to form floating rafts. These can be several feet wide, and in recent days images of their terrifying fleets have starred on social media.
Norrid did not hide his hatred for the ants, whose mere mention makes every Texan "cringe." He saw one of their islands on his street this weekend. Still, "it would be hard for me to advise someone go grab a can of Raid and spray at the water," he said. Best is to stay far from the insect boats.
Other Wildlife At Risk
The deer that munch their way through Houston are also seeking dry land. Norrid said he expects the waters to drown many deer, and their bodies are likely to attract another nightmarish insect situation once the water recedes: swarms of flies. "But hopefully the rest of nature will take its course and help clean the mess up: Coyotes and vultures" and more, he said. His main wildlife concern is for Houston's Mexican free-tailed bats, fast little animals that live in the crevices of more than 30 bridges. The Waugh Bridge near downtown is home to about 300,000 bats whose sunset emergence is considered a must-see local wildlife event. Water had submerged the underside of the bridge by Sunday. The Houston Chronicle reported that some bats were spotted on nearby buildings. A few hundred others were plucked from the bridge and water by rescuers.
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