While hiking through Jeffries Creek Park in Florence, South Carolina, Meredith Langley had a startling encounter with a massive snake camouflaged near the creek’s edge.

The snake, around four to five feet long and as thick as a tree root, was basking in the sun, blending perfectly with its surroundings. Langley shared photos and her story on Facebook to warn fellow hikers of hidden trail dangers.

She described the snake as calm and non-aggressive. “It watched me with stillness and reserve,” she wrote. Langley emphasized the importance of respecting wildlife: “That area is its home, not ours.”

Reactions online were a mix of shock and fascination. Some speculated it was a venomous cottonmouth, common in the area. One commenter joked, “He’s probably swallowed somebody’s child already,” while another simply called it “a beast.”

Langley’s post served as a reminder to stay alert and respectful while exploring nature.