Wildlife Removal in Memphis: Cottonmouths, Raccoons & the Mississippi Factor

Memphis occupies a bluff above the Mississippi River, and the river defines the city's wildlife landscape in ways that aren't obvious until you look at a map. The Mississippi River bottomland — one of the most biologically productive ecosystems in North America — sits immediately west of the city. The Wolf River corridor runs through the northern suburbs. Nonconnah Creek and its tributaries drain the southern parts of the metro. These waterways aren't just scenic features; they're wildlife highways that deliver animals from bottomland habitat directly into residential neighborhoods.

The cottonmouth (water moccasin) is more common in Memphis than in most Tennessee cities, and the reason is the water. Memphis's bayous, retention ponds, drainage ditches, and river-adjacent neighborhoods provide exactly the habitat cottonmouths prefer. Unlike most US snakes, cottonmouths will hold their ground when encountered rather than retreating — they open their mouths to display the white interior (the "cotton") as a threat display. Any dark, heavy-bodied snake near water in Memphis should be treated as a cottonmouth until proven otherwise.

Copperheads are also common throughout the metro, particularly in wooded neighborhoods near creek corridors. They're the more frequent venomous snake encounter in residential areas away from water.

Memphis's subtropical climate means raccoons breed year-round — unlike northern Tennessee cities where breeding is more seasonal. There's no predictable safe window for exclusion without first assessing whether young are present. Every removal starts with an assessment.

The Wolf River corridor and Mississippi River bottomland support enormous raccoon populations that range freely into adjacent neighborhoods. Memphis's humidity also accelerates wood rot in soffits and fascia, creating more entry opportunities than in drier climates. A roofline that was tight three years ago may have new vulnerabilities today.

Memphis floods. The Mississippi River floods periodically, and local streams flood after heavy rain. When flooding occurs, wildlife is displaced from natural habitats and seeks higher ground — which often means attics, crawl spaces, and garages. Post-flood wildlife intrusion calls spike significantly after major rain events. If your neighborhood flooded, a post-flood wildlife inspection is worth scheduling even if you haven't heard anything.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regulations prohibit bat exclusion from May 1 through August 15 (maternity season). Memphis's older neighborhoods — Midtown, Cooper-Young, Central Gardens — have significant bat populations in aging building stock. If you discover bats in summer, we can seal gaps leading to living spaces and schedule full exclusion for the fall window.

Call (800) 319-1556 for a free inspection. We serve Shelby County and surrounding areas.

View our Memphis service page for more information.