The deep freeze winter we had on the east coast is probably responsible for most of this. But I also have to say, many people are killiing the native snakes for no reason. This seems to be occuring a lot more now than before. I think it has to do with the housing expansion into what was the snake's natural habitat. I personally know of a few snakes that were killed. The idiots killed the snakes and then brought them to me to see if what they were. All were harmless rat snakes.

Talk about being pissed.
Jim Smith