Snakes Struggle to survive hot, dry summer - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Snakes struggle to survive hot, dry summer

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) -

A hidden casualty of the drought and heat pounding northeastern Indiana this summer is the snake population.

Director Bruce Kingsbury of the Environmental Resources Center at Indiana-Purdue-Fort Wayne says people aren't seeing many snakes this summer because the cold-blooded animals are likely holed up in shady places trying to stay cool.

Kingsbury tells The News-Sentinel that snakes also are likely suffering a famine this summer many of the creatures they prey on depend on water for habitat. That means they'll likely be scarce next summer, too.

At Fox Island County Park outside Fort Wayne, Superintendent Ron Zartman says he's seen very few snakes this summer. He says a marsh in the park has dried up.

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