Has any noticed the black snakes that have been popping up the past few days? I don’t mean tiny little snakes. There was a dead one at the entrance on Wednesday and today when walking I saw one hauling down the hill at ya.

No need to kill the black snakes. They are rat snakes and they help kill the poisonous snakes. I’ve seen them literally constrict and swallow copperheads. So, they are VERY important to the environment. They also keep the nasty rat population in check. People need to be educated.

I'm no snake expert but I've hiked a ton at leita Thompson and all over North Georgia and long slender black snakes are common I believe they might be rat snakes or one of their relatives. They feed on mice and other small Critters. They're totally harmless to humans and I am always happy when I see one.