Snakes …. it’s their world too

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outdoor alabama featuredMONTGOMERY-Mention the word “snakes” and you are likely to get a strong reaction from many people who don’t scared of snakescare for these creatures. It’s important to keep in mind that snakes are an important part of many food chains, both as food for other animals and as predators on small animals such as mice, rats and frogs.

Myths concerning snakes have always flourished. Some of these misconceptions include:

  • ·         A snake’s tongue is venomous.
  • ·         Snakes die only after sunset.
  • ·         Snakes are attracted to a saucer of milk.
  • ·         Venomous snakes can be rendered harmless by milking their venom.
  • ·         Only coiled snakes can bite.
  • ·         A line of sulfur will repel snakes and they will not cross it.

 

garter snakesMost snakes you encounter are harmless and non-venomous, but some snakes are potentially dangerous, such as rattlesnakes. Care should be taken to reduce the chances of attracting them. They are continuously moving in search of food, mates and a safe, dry place to rest and hide. Most snakes mate in the spring and early summer and feed on small birds, mice, rats, skinks, lizards and frogs. In turn, mice and rats are attracted to food scraps and grains around your home.

How can you prevent snakes from coming on your property? The old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” certainly applies to reducing snakes on your property. Unfortunately, there is no sure way of completely preventing snakes from moving on your property, particularly if you live in a wooded area or in the country. There is no product on the market that will repel snakes and is not toxic to pets and people.

The following suggestions should be followed to make your property less attractive for snakes:remove brush piles

  • ·         Remove bushes, rock piles, stacks of old firewood, and any debris lying in piles or close to the ground that snakes can use as shelter.
  • ·         Remove any hiding places that are dark, damp, and cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
  • ·         If you feed your pets outside, do not leave uneaten food that will attract rodents.
  • ·         Keep your yard mowed regularly.
  • ·         Keep ornamental shrubbery and vegetation closely trimmed.

 

eastern indgo snakeShooting and killing snakes, even venomous ones, is discouraged. Some snakes are black pineprotected by law in Alabama and by federal law under the Endangered Species Act, such as the rare and beautiful Eastern indigo snake and the black pine snake.

Remember that most snake bites occur when someone is trying to catch or kill a snake. If you are bitten, the best medicine is a set of car keys. Have someone drive you to a hospital immediately.

For your piece of mind, buy a book and learn to identify the snakes of Alabama, especially the venomous snakes. If you learn to easily identify these six species, then the remaining ones are totally harmless.

coral snakecotton mouth water moccasincopperheaddiamondback rattlesnakeTimber Rattlesnakewestern pigmy rattlesnake

 

 

So what does all of this mean? You cannot totally prevent snakes from entering your property, but you can lessen the chance of them choosing to stay. In place of living in fear, learn to coexist with them instead of always trying to kill them. They are important to the overall health of our ecosystem. For more information about snakes, visit www.outdooralabama.com and click on the “Watchable Wildlife” tab.

MEDIA RELEASE/ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES/Mark S. Sasser, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

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