The Montrose Snake makes its debut A local expert says that after major floods we'll see more snakes than usual

Snakes like this one, seen earlier this week in Montrose off Richmond, will be rather common with more and more rain in the area. This one, believed to be a Texas rat snake, caused a small traffic snarl as Houstonians swerved to avoid turning it into roadkill. (Photo: Kristie Hlavaty) less Snakes like this one, seen earlier this week in Montrose off Richmond, will be rather common with more and more rain in the area. This one, believed to be a Texas rat snake, caused a small traffic snarl as ... more Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close The Montrose Snake makes its debut 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

With the recent heavy rains and the prospect of even more to come, Houston will be seeing a lot more slithering snakes across the city.

Earlier this week a sizable Texas rat snake momentarily slowed down traffic at Richmond and Mandell in the Montrose area. Houstonians, being the compassionate kind, apparently didn't want to turn the low-lying beast into roadkill.

Later that day a Twitter user recorded a video of a similar snake climbing a tree. Maybe they're staking out the local housing market?

Snake-trification, if you will. You usually don't see this unless you're on a back road outside Houston city limits.

Mike Petersen with Wildlife X Team does nuisance wildlife removal in the Houston area. He says that his team has been all hands on deck since the round of flooding Houston had earlier this spring. They usually get calls about families of raccoons in attics or other stray beasts.

Snakes have been a big part of the work, he says, for a number of reasons.

RELATED: Post-flood reminder: Beware of Houston's annoying, slightly dangerous wildlife

"The rain moves them out of their normal areas and not all snakes want to hang out in the water. Some actually want to stay dry," he says. "And that's how some of us get new neighbors."

Judging by the photo provided, Petersen said that it appeared to be a Texas rat snake. The snakes are not venomous but the bite could be painful to people. They dine on rats which makes them a key part of Houston's ecosystem.

"Texas rat snakes happen to have more interaction with people because they are so prevalent," Petersen says. "They are climbers which only adds to the hysteria."

@CraigHlavaty so this happened 20 min ago while I was walking the dog. #snakesofhouston pic.twitter.com/CKS6W8xI1A — Hunter Heimburger (@HuntreTEXAS) May 19, 2016

Most people don't want to think of a snake underfoot, never mind overhead.

They can be found anywhere and due to their rib cage, which is cartilage, they can get into small areas.

"As a general rule if they are not in your home or posing a threat, we say leave them be," Petersen says.

Meanwhile, the Montrose Snake was last seen slithering into a local park where he was meeting up with friends and discussing plans to picnic in Menil Park.