Mating snakes force officials to close Florida park

Officials were forced to close a Florida park due to the presence of snakes mating en masse near Lake Hollingsworth.

“Our Parks Division was able to receive assistance from the Public Works Department — Lakes and Storm Water Division. They have identified the snakes found by the roundabout as Florida water snakes. It appears they have congregated for mating,” the city of Lakeland’s Parks and Recreation Department wrote in a Facebook post.

“They are non-venomous and generally not aggressive as long as people do not disturb them. Once the mating is over they should go their separate ways,” the department added.

“They are an important part of the ecosystem and should not be disturbed,” the city noted, saying officials had put up caution tape around the affected areas.