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Snake Mistaken for Stick Startles Maryland Beachgoers

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Author Waldemar Mopera

A snake trying to go beneath the sand.
A snake trying to go beneath the sand. Image via Pexels.

On April 26, 2025, a sunny afternoon in Ocean City, Maryland, turned into a bizarre wildlife encounter for a family enjoying the annual Springfest. Roxanne Flanagan and her children were walking near the popular fishing pier when she spotted a snake that looked like a stick in the surf—until it started slithering.

“It was moving just enough that I thought, ‘Wait, sticks don’t do that,’” Roxanne said. She quickly pulled her kids away, and others nearby stopped to gawk as the creature wriggled ashore. It turned out to be an Eastern Hognose snake, a native species known more for its dramatic antics than any real threat.

Within hours, footage of the snake “swimming ashore” made its way to social media, with many viewers commenting they would never step foot in the ocean again—even though it is harmless.

Understanding the Eastern Hognose Snake

Despite its eerie entrance from the waves, the Eastern Hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) isn’t a sea serpent or venomous intruder. It’s actually a harmless terrestrial reptile that thrives in sandy, loose soil, like the kind found near coastal dunes.

“Maryland Beachgoers Surprised To See Large Snake,” Source: YouTube, Uploaded: WJZ

The snake is best known for its over-the-top defense tactics. When threatened, it may flatten its neck like a cobra, hiss loudly, or go full Hollywood and play dead—rolling over, tongue out, and all.

Biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources noted that while the sight of a snake at the beach is rare, it’s not impossible. It may have gotten swept into the surf while exploring dunes or hunting toads—its favorite meal.

What To Do If You Spot a Snake

A snake crawling on the sand on a sunny day.
A snake crawling on the sand on a sunny day. Image via Pexels

Ocean City Animal Control responded quickly and safely relocated the snake to a more suitable inland area. Officials reminded visitors that while the beach isn’t a typical hangout for those creatures, wild animals sometimes end up in unexpected places.

If you ever spot a snake in the wild (or at the beach):

  • Stay Calm: Most snakes want nothing to do with people.
  • Keep Your Distance: Don’t try to touch, feed, or move it.
  • Call Authorities: Alert local animal control or park rangers if the animal seems out of place or poses a danger.

Trying to handle a wild snake—even a harmless one—can lead to unnecessary stress for the animal and potentially dangerous misunderstandings.

The Online Reaction

A woman was surprised after viewing something on her smartphone.
A woman was surprised after viewing something on her smartphone. Image via Pexels

Once videos of the “beach snake” hit TikTok and Instagram, the internet had a field day. Some viewers joked about needing to wear boots in the ocean now, while others praised the snake’s surprise cameo.

The post also sparked plenty of questions, from “Can snakes swim in saltwater?” (they can, but most avoid it) to “Was it trying to sunbathe or escape something?” (likely neither—just wrong place, wrong time).

While some people vowed to stick to pools from now on, wildlife experts see it as a teachable moment: wild animals live among us, and sometimes, they show up where we least expect them.

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