As Fayette

County's weather heats up, snake spottings will increase, according to

Bill Newman of the Fayette County Animal Shelter.

So Newman has

some words of caution for everyone, particularly for children: leave them

alone!

The most troublesome

snake varieties in this area are copperheads and cottonmouths, Newman

said. They can hide in log piles, pine straw

"If you

see one in your yard, just leave it alone ... It'll go on, it won't stay

there," Newman said.

Snakes can

also populate Peachtree City's cart path system at night, seeking the

warmth of the pavement when darkness sets, Newman added.

Not all snakes

are bad, Newman said, but it's a wise idea for kids not to mess with them,

which could cause the snake to strike. Children should also avoid dashing

through the woods, where snakes are more likely to appear, he added.

Parents should

also use caution with kids around lakes and ponds, where snake populations

also reside, Newman said.