LAKELAND, Fla. – A Florida city shut down a section of a lake Thursday after receiving reports of swarming snakes. Turns out, the slithery creatures were just celebrating Valentine's Day a little early.
The Lakeland Parks & Recreation department wrote on its Facebook page that a group of non-venomous water snakes congregated to mate near a traffic roundabout. It included one photo of the lake shoreline and a closeup shot of a brown snake nestled in leaves.
Recommended Videos
Officials said the snakes are “generally not aggressive as long as people do not disturb them.”
Once mating is over, the snakes are expected to go their separate ways.
The city said that Florida water snakes are a native species.
“They are generally found resting in tree limbs over water or basking on shorelines. They are an important part of the ecosystem and should not be disturbed,” the Facebook post said.
Lakeland is in Central Florida, between Tampa and Orlando.
Regarding snakes spotted on Lake Hollingsworth near the roundabout: Our Parks Division was able to receive assistance...
Posted by City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation on Thursday, February 13, 2020