Family discovers new home overrun by venomous snakes

Clint Pustejovsky, owner of Texas Snakes and More looks on as homeowner David Flory holds a copperhead that was found outside his northwest Houston home earlier in the year Clint Pustejovsky, owner of Texas Snakes and More looks on as homeowner David Flory holds a copperhead that was found outside his northwest Houston home earlier in the year Photo: Johnny Hanson, Staff Photo: Johnny Hanson, Staff Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Family discovers new home overrun by venomous snakes 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

David and Lauren Flory felt an immediate connection upon pulling up the long rock driveway of the property along Cypress Creek. They put in an offer that day.

But when the couple began remodeling the ranch-style house, they discovered the heavily wooded 12 acres were overrun with Southern copperheads, one of the six venomous snakes in the Greater Houston area.

"We started noticing all of these snakes but didn't know what kind they were," David Flory said of the demolition period 11 years ago. "So I put a bucket over one and searched 'Harris County snakes' online. I found Clint and gave him a call."

A self-taught herpetologist, Clint Pustejovsky gives educational programs to kids and adults alike. He also offers capture and removal services.

"I came out to pick up a snake," Pustejovsky recalled during a recent walk of the property with Flory. "We ended up talking for hours. David wanted to learn everything he could."

Pustejovsky, in turn, wanted to understand why the copperheads existed in higher than normal numbers on the Florys' land near the Champions area. A conversation with the previous owner held the answer.

"We were out here one night and heard this big splash," Flory said, making his way around the far shore of a lake between the house and creek. "We couldn't figure out what it was, so a couple of nights later we came back with flashlights and saw eyes. I called him and asked, 'What in the world is splashing out there and swimming super fast?' He said, 'David, those are beavers, and I have the eight pelts to prove it.' "

The man was an avid hunter who regularly killed wildlife on the land. Among his targets were opossums and kingsnakes, both predators of copperheads. (Both are immune to venom from the pit viper family, which includes copperheads.)

"He changed the ecosystem," Pustejovsky said, "and because of that these snakes were everywhere."

The herpetologist came up with a plan to control the copperhead population and restore balance to the land. Pustejovsky returned with Mr. and Mrs. Kingsnake, as they affectionately came to be known by the Flory family.

"He brought them over and had us pet them. He wrapped them around our necks," Flory said, laughing at the memory. "They are very gentle snakes."

Pustejovsky clarified. "Kingsnakes are ruthless fighters when it comes to their prey. They bite the other snake so it can't get away, then wrap around it and crush the heart."

Opossums arrived soon after courtesy of Gina Disteldorf, who runs Gina's Heart of Gold Reptile Rescue and works for Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition.

As nature took its course, Pustejovsky laid traps around the house and a smaller building added later as a satellite office for the family's real estate business. He removed more than 70 copperheads during the first 18 months. Today, maybe one a year gets caught in the traps.

In all, Pustejovsky has taken away more than 100 venomous snakes, including corals and western cottonmouths. He gives most to the National Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where scientists use the venom to develop treatments for strokes, heart attacks and cancerous tumors. The rest have been given to other educators or released into more appropriate habitats.

Balance restored

With hunting no longer allowed on the land - Flory has five game warden numbers programmed into his cellphone - and nearby development continuing to push animals out of their natural habitats, wildlife now flourishes on the property. Joining the beavers in the water are herons, egrets, turtles and even wood ducks, which arrive in the fall to feast on duckweed coating the lake and to lay eggs.

"Wood ducks are arguably the most beautiful in the world," Flory said. "They are very skittish, though. We could have 100 on the lake, but as soon as we open the back door, they're gone."

More than 20 deer sleep in the yard each night, and families of foxes, skunks and raccoons are in residence.

Coyotes and the occasional bobcat also make an appearance, and great horned and screech owls are among the raptors spotted in trees. Except for a tailless squirrel allowed into the house to snatch pecans off the counter, the family keeps its distance from the wildlife.

"I don't want to tame the animals," Flory said. "I try not to interfere. Help, yes. Interfere, no."

Help comes mainly in the form of food. Fish and deer have dedicated feeders, and the groundskeeper puts out corn, birdseed and kibble. He also has planted fruit trees, oats, barley and alfalfa. A section of the yard remains uncut so as to not disturb crawfish nests. Raccoons love the tasty crustaceans.

Flory also will help any animal he finds injured or otherwise in need, and that includes snakes that end up in a trap. With species unfamiliar to him, he takes a photo and sends it to his snake expert, who visits for both work and fun these days.

"I don't consider David a client anymore," Pustejovsky said. "It's a joy to come out here."

He still takes the venomous snakes away, but most of the others go free to continue acting as nature intended, such as with the rat snakes that keep rodents on the property to a minimum.

"Snakes just want to be left alone," Flory said. "Over the years, we've come to respect them and realize the really beneficial role they play."