My wife is a very accomplished business woman. She has multiple degrees and is considered an expert in her field. You can find her in listed in any number of Who's Who lists around the country. Yet, mention the word SNAKE and she immediately turns into a quivering bowl of Jell-O. A bowl of Jell-O with an ear piercing scream that is. She is among the legions of people who believe that the only good snake is a dead snake. Down here in the 'Buckle of the Bible Belt', snakes fare even worse. You would think that people who attend bible classes on a weekly basis would take note about all of God's creatures. Snakes are never received like a Golden Retriever puppy. We need to ask ourselves, 'Why are we so afraid of all snakes'? I can understand if it is a venomous snake, we want to protect our children and pets from a nasty bite. Snakes are very important to our ecosystem. They eat rats, mice, moles and other pests that we do not want around our houses, yards and gardens. Man seems to be at war with a creature that is only trying to get as far away from him as it possibly can. Snakes can bite but they cannot fight or defend themselves from humans. Stay away from its mouth and the snake is defenseless. No matter how afraid you are of it, it is many thousands times more afraid of you. It will do anything possible to leave you alone and get safely away from you. Every day in a snake's life could be its last. It has no chance against creatures further up the food chain and/or hunger can force it into a fatal mistake. The snake below died hanging in the sun because the body of bird that it ate would not allow the snake to pass through the birdhouse door that it entered. It was stuck and it was 94 degrees outside. Being a cold blooded creature it died of exposure. Snake in the bird house ( photo / image / picture from Accidental Gardener's Garden )
A snake that size would have me running too, if it were alive and slinking about. Poor thing, I guess it never read "Nest Robbing for Dummies'
I've been trying to encourage snakes into my garden as I find them fascinating creatures. So much so that I have one in a vivarium in my home. So many people are afraid of them but they are actually more afraid of US. As you say, if you leave them alone, then they'll simply disappear. Contrary to what most folks think their skin is dry and not the least bit slimey.
I know snakes can be a good thing in the garden... there are lots of Garter snakes in this neck of the woods, no dangerous ones, thank goodness! That being said, I'm with your wife! I will squeal and take off running when I am surprised by one of the slippery little creatures!
I think they are creepy but do not kill them as you said very beneficial. There is a small garter that lives in my compost, he scares the bejees out of me every time I turn it AND I know he's there
Well, I'm creeped out by slithering snakes too, but even so, I feel sorry for the guy you're showing. That an icky end.... well, for him and the bird, I guess... Nature sure has its moments.
My neighbor had a 4 foot copperhead in his yard so I have been cautious when I am in the garden. a few years ago when I was working at a local garden center, a black snake dropped out of a hanging basket as I was getting it down for a customer. Needless to say the basket was smashed when it hit the ground and I headed in the other direction.
The snakes around here and I have a deal,,they leave me alone and I will leave them alone. I would rather deal with an occassional snake than have all the mice in the county multiplying in my barn.
