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Giant Snake Slithers Across Texas Porch on Doorbell Cam

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Author Waldemar Mopera

A close-up photo of a big snake.
A close-up photo of a big snake. Image via Unsplash

A Texas homeowner in Cypress got a spine-tingling surprise when her Ring doorbell alerted her, not to a package, but to a giant snake winding around her porch basket and creeping toward the camera. Here’s how a quiet suburban moment turned wild.

When the Front Door Becomes a Wildlife Stage

A man standing in front of a door.
A man standing in front of a door. Image via Pexels

On May 8, Anna checked her Ring camera after a motion alert and spotted a large chicken snake (also called an eastern or yellow rat snake), measuring between 1 and 2 meters (3.5 to 7 ft), gracefully slithering down her brick wall.

She said, “It gave me chills,”—and her husband thought it was “pretty cool,” prompting them to share the footage with the Ring community. The show lasted several minutes before the snake calmly moved on.

Why A Giant Snake Shows Up on Porches

A big snake crawling on a wooden surface.
A big snake crawling on a wooden surface. Image via Unsplash

It might seem like these snakes are targeting homes on purpose, but they’re actually just following instincts. Here’s why your porch might look like prime real estate to a rat snake:

  • Natural climbers: Rat snakes can scale brick walls and porch fixtures with ease.
  • Following food trails: These constrictors prey on rodents, frogs, and bird eggs, often drawn close by nests or small wildlife on porches.
  • Suburban overlap: As Cypress expands into wooded areas, encounters with wildlife like this become more common.

Even though they look intimidating, chicken snakes aren’t venomous. They use constriction to hunt small prey and generally retreat from people, though they may release a foul-smelling odor if scared.

What To Do When Wildlife Rings the Doorbell

If your doorbell camera ever reveals something slithery or wild outside, don’t panic. Here’s how to handle unexpected animal guests like this calmly and safely:

  • Stay calm – It’s likely non-venomous and more curious than aggressive.
  • Let it leave peacefully – These snakes prefer to avoid humans and will move on if not chased.
  • Seal entry points – Check cracks around doors, vents, and porch fixtures to prevent repeat visits.
  • Keep yards tidy – Removing debris and controlling rodents makes your porch less attractive to wildlife.
“Snake Puts on a Show For a Texas Homeowner’s Ring Doorbell Cam,” Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WFAA

A Wildlife Lesson at Your Front Door

This unexpected giant snake is a vivid example of how suburban life can brush up against the animal kingdom, sometimes quite closely. Encounters like these serve as a reminder: creatures like snakes are part of the ecosystem, and awareness is key. A doorbell notification might be a harmless package, or it might be nature dropping by to say hello.

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