There are dozens of slithery reptiles in Missouri, and with the summer heat, there's a chance you'll see more snakes.
Of the nearly 50 species and subspecies of snakes in Missouri, six are venomous, and all play an important role in our ecosystem, said Francis Skalicky, media specialist for Missouri Department of Conservation.
The reptiles eat rodents, such as mice and rats, small animals and some insects in the wild.
"Snakes can be very good pest control," Skalicky said. "A lot of people grew up thinking, 'The only good snake is a dead snake,' and that's not the case at all.