Expert warning homeowners of dangerous snakes in water meter boxes

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- As spring approaches and warmer weather becomes the norm, we're hearing a warning from one homeowner's association: Don't open the water meter box.

Si Enviromental asked the Greatwood homeowner's association to alert residents that a water moccasin was discovered recently in one of the boxes. According to a post on neighborhood website, the snake was "very aggressive" and attempted to bite the meter reader.

The company says another was discovered hiding in the water meter box at a home in the Riverstone subdivision and that more likely could be found.

"The eggs are hatching, the babies are out. It's mating season so plus now that the weather is nicer, people are out, so you increase the likelihood of a human snake interaction," said director of medical toxicology at Baylor college of Medicine Dr. Spencer Greene.

Greene is actually beginning a study to determine if the antivenom most often used to treat copperhead snake bites is effective. The copperhead is the most common venomous snake in southeast Texas.