🐍 Snake Season: The Hidden Passenger You Didn’t Invite By Quarla Blackwell

It began with a smell. Drivers in the South know the difference between a fuel leak, a forgotten fast‑food bag, and something more sinister. But when one Knoxville man popped the hood of his SUV after days of foul odor, he didn’t find a mechanical problem. He found a python — coiled neatly on the battery, soaking up the warmth.

That bizarre discovery made headlines, but it’s not just a one‑off oddity. It’s a warning. Snake season is here, and the line between wild habitat and human space is thinner than ever.

🕵️ Why Snakes End Up in Cars

Investigating these cases reveals a pattern. Wildlife experts say snakes are opportunists. They follow food and warmth, and our cars, garages, and homes provide both.

• Heat seekers: Cold‑blooded reptiles gravitate toward warm engines and sheltered corners.

• Food trails: Rodents around vehicles lure predators into hiding spots.

• Urban overlap: As development expands, snakes adapt, slipping into neighborhoods where they once rarely appeared.

The Knoxville python was exotic, but North Carolina drivers face their own risks with copperheads, rat snakes, and black racers.

⚠️ Warning Signs for Drivers

• A foul odor that doesn’t match fuel or food.

• Unexplained movement under the hood or dashboard.

• Rodent activity near your vehicle — a red flag that predators may follow.

  
  

🛡️ Safety First

If you suspect a snake:

• Don’t reach blindly. Never stick your hand into tight spaces without looking.

• Call animal control. Professionals can remove snakes safely.

• Document the incident. Photos and notes help track patterns in your community.

  
  

📰 Bigger Picture

Snake encounters are rising. Climate shifts and urban sprawl push wildlife into human spaces, and reports to animal control are climbing each year. Yet public agencies often downplay the risk, treating each case as isolated. The investigative truth is clear: what used to be rare is becoming seasonal.

✅ Takeaway

Snake season isn’t just a rural problem. It’s an urban reality. Stay alert, investigate strange smells or sounds, and treat every odd sign as a clue. Because sometimes, the passenger you didn’t invite is hiding right under your hood.