CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The week-long heat wave brought with it an unwelcome guest to our communities, snakes.

• App created By Davidson College grads used to identify snakes of NC
• Copperhead snake found on Charlotte school playground
• Most common time to be bitten but Copperhead is walking on a trail

A Copperhead snake on a playground forced one Charlotte school to bring all the kids indoors on Friday and reptile removal companies reported over the weekend an uptick in calls. 

“The temperatures warm up. They (snakes) become more active looking for mates and food after going months without eating,” said Alden Picard, Naturalist with Discovery Place Nature.

Picard points out snakes are really good for the environment eating insects and rodents. He added snakes really don’t want to attack.

“The most common time to be bitten by a Copperhead is walking on a trail. You walk by. You don’t see it and accidentally step on the snake. It’s just a defense mechanism for the snake,” said Picard.

Some Davidson College grad created this app here where you can figure out exactly what snake is lurking in your garage or garden.