A peaceful hike turned shocking for Meredith Langley when she encountered a massive snake along the edge of a creek in Jeffries Creek Park, South Carolina. Wanting to warn others, she shared a photo of the giant reptile on Facebook, where it horrified many users.

The brown snake, stretching four to five feet long, was resting in the dirt, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. Langley described it as calm and unafraid, watching her without aggression. Understanding that the area was its home, she and her children quietly retreated, respecting nature.

Online, reactions ranged from awe to fear. Some mistook the snake for a venomous cottonmouth, commonly found in the area. Others joked, saying it had “probably swallowed somebody’s child.” However, Sean Foley, curator of herpetology at Riverbanks Zoo, confirmed it was a harmless water snake.

While its size was impressive, Foley noted that such growth takes years and isn’t unusual. Though non-venomous, water snakes can act defensively when threatened.

Langley advised hikers to be cautious, stating, “A good rule of thumb is to steer clear of all snakes.” Large or small, deadly or not, they are best admired from a distance.