Snakes

Snakes have been getting a bad reputation for as long as they have been in existence. Most people regard snakes as dangerous and worthless, and would kill one when crossing their path just as easily as stepping on an ant. What some people don’t know is that snakes are beneficial to our environment and their venom serves many medicinal purposes, as well. Without snakes, the rodent population would take over, meaning that more rats and mice would be running around. I vote for living peacefully with snakes.

When I was younger, snakes were commonly seen. They were under our porch and in the woods where I spent most of my time. Catching snakes was something I didn’t think about, I just did it; it was challenging and exciting. Whether it was a garter snake or water snake, the adrenaline would soar through my veins, and my heart would beat twice as fast when I’d get a hold of one. Once I had his head cupped between my thumb and fore fingers, this magnificent creature would allow me to study every inch of him. Catching snakes was a simple exploration of a misunderstood species, and of course it was fun. Letting the snake go unharmed was key, and watching it slither away into the woods was equally enriching.

My brother called me the other day and told me he had caught a pit viper in the parking lot of a country club/restaurant. His voice was filled with as much excitement as when we were kids. He decided that he would imitate Jeff Corwin from Animal Planet, and went on to tell me the proper way of catching a snake. He lives in central Florida where pygmy rattlers are abundant, but this viper was no match for my brother. He gently took the snake by it’s tail and asked to borrow someone’s golf club. No, he didn’t swat it with the club; he gently lifted its head with it, and placed it out of harms way. He placed it back in the wooded area where it was safe, and away from frightened on-lookers.

It is a good idea to learn about the snakes in your region, and to be able to identify a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous snake. There are only two types of poisonous snakes indigenous to the United States: pit vipers (rattlesnake, cottonmouth ‘water moccasin,’ copperhead) and coral snakes. Their distributions are as follows:

Northeast: Cottonmouth, copperhead, and timber rattlesnake.

Southeast: Cottonmouth, copperhead, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, and eastern coral snake.

Central: Cottonmouth, copperhead, massasauga rattlesnake, timber, and prairie rattlesnake.

Southwest: Cottonmouth, copperhead, pygmy rattlesnake, massasauga rattlesnake, northern black-tailed rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake, sidewinder, Mojave rattlesnake, western diamondback rattlesnake, red diamondback rattlesnake, Texas coral snake, and the Sonoran coral snake.

Pacific Coast: Northern Pacific rattlesnake, Southern Pacific rattlesnake, Great Basin rattlesnake, western diamondback rattlesnake, red diamondback rattlesnake, sidewinder, and the Mojave rattlesnake.

Avoiding Poisonous Snakes

Whether you are in the eastern United States or the west, you should always be cautious of snakes:

1. Avoid known habitats of poisonous snakes, such as rocky ledges and woodpiles.

2. Walk on clearly marked trails, and use a walking stick to move suspicious objects. Do not reach blindly behind rocks.

3. Wear protective clothing like boots, and pants that cover your lower leg.

4. Never hike alone in snake territory. Carry the extractor, an elastic wrap, and a splint.

5. Avoid hiking at night.

6. Do not handle snakes unless you know what you are doing.

Snake bites

In the United States, 98 percent of venomous bites are from pit vipers. These snakes have triangular heads, elliptical pupils (cat’s eyes), two fangs in the front part of the jaw, and heat-sensing facial pits on the sides of the head; hence pit viper. Pit Vipers also have a single row of scales on the underbelly leading to the tail (not present in non-poisonous snakes), and a rattle.

“An adult pit viper can strike at a speed of 8 feet per second.”

- If bitten by a snake you should seek immediate medical attention, especially if you are unsure of the species of snake that bit you.

-Just remember to stay calm, keep the extremity that has been bitten, level or lower than your heart.

- Applying ice does not help and is not recommended.

- Remember that most snake bites, even from poisonous snakes, are not fatal.

- It is always a good idea to carry the Sawyer Extractor Pump, and use it immediately after being bitten. The first few minutes are the most important for venom removal.

Snake Facts

- Rattlesnakes have relatively weak venom when compared to the world’s other vipers and cobras.

- A rattlesnake bite is a defensive action and should not be considered an act of aggression.

-One-third of all rattlesnake bites are “dry bites,” meaning no venom is injected.

- More people die each year from bee stings or lightning strikes than snake bites, in the United States.

Since snakes are very beneficial to the environment, we need to learn how to live with them. If you are terrified of snakes, then don’t move to a place where they are abundant. Snakes have been roaming the earth way before mankind, and as we slowly cut away at the trees and forests, we are slowly taking away their home.

“To Native Americans, the snake is a symbol of transformation and healing”

 

Websites:

The Sawyer Extractor Pump: http://www.sawyerproducts.com/extractor/extractor.htm

Animal Planet: http://www.animal.discovery.com

 

If you have a question, or would like for me to discuss a specific animal, tree or insect, or ways you can help teach your children environmental ethics, you can e-mail me at Judi@childcaremagazine.zzn.com and put “Nature & Children Request” in the subject area.

Be sure to visit my Nature Trivia Column where I will post fun facts and trivia about nature. Also, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you for visiting Nature Knowledge.

 J. A. Mortenson