What started as an ordinary afternoon chore turned into a moment of pure shock for Hannah Morris, a 34-year-old homeowner doing a quick check of her backyard after a windy night. While scanning the lawn for fallen branches, she noticed something long and dark near the edge of the grass. At first, she assumed it was harmless—maybe a rope or a forgotten garden hose.
As she stepped closer, the object moved.
Hannah froze. What she had mistaken for clutter was actually a large snake, perfectly camouflaged against the grass and soil. The realization sent a rush of adrenaline through her—not so much fear as disbelief at finding wildlife so close to home.
Experts say encounters like this are becoming more common as suburban neighborhoods expand into natural habitats. Snakes often rest in quiet, warm areas like tall grass or shaded yards and can remain so still that they’re easily mistaken for debris. Most, however, are non-aggressive and prefer to avoid people entirely.
In Hannah’s case, the snake was non-venomous and harmless, even beneficial as a natural pest controller. After a brief moment, it slowly slipped back into the undergrowth, leaving her shaken but unharmed.
The experience left Hannah with a new respect for the wildlife quietly sharing her space—and a lasting habit of looking twice before touching anything in her yard.