Imagine walking through your local park and having to stop dead in your tracks because a load of snakes are having an orgy, something they apparently do every year.
You would think you’d walked into a parallel universe, or I would, at least. The likelihood is you wouldn’t have though, particularly if you were near Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, Florida, this week.
That’s because it’s apparently mating season for the Florida water snake, and a large group of them had decided to meet up for a massive orgy in the area. So yeah, do with that what you will.
After residents began reporting snake sightings to the City of Lakeland Parks and Recreation, it started investigating along with the city’s Public Works Department.
Caution tape was put up around the area and the department put up ‘hanging signs’ to make the public aware of the snakes’ presence, because they ‘are an important part of the ecosystem and should not be disturbed’. They added: ‘This is for the protection of the public and the snakes.’
In a Facebook post, the department said:
It appears they have congregated for mating. They are non-venomous and generally not aggressive as long as people do not disturb them. Once the mating is over they should go their separate ways.
The City of Lakeland Parks and Recreation said that, while it cannot rule out the presence of other species being in that location or other locations around the lake, it believes the water snakes congregated in that area ‘as they seem to do yearly’.
Florida water snakes are a native species whose habitats include aquatic environments, and are generally found resting in tree limbs over water or basking on shorelines, the department said.
Also known as Nerodia fasciata pictiventris, the snakes average from 24 to 42 inches, although the record is 62.5 inches. They are harmless, although defend themselves by biting and smearing predators with a foul smelling musk.
While they are active mainly at night, the snakes may be found during the day chilling on banks or on vegetation hanging over the water (or having orgies in public parks, whatever tickles their fancy).
If you’re unable to picture what a snake orgy might look like, you can check one out below:
You’re welcome. Mating occurs mid-winter to spring, with litters of 20-30 young being born in late spring through summer.
Basically, you can expect to see some adorable tiny baby snakes coming your way if you live in the Lakeland area in the coming months.
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A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).