If You Find a Snake in the Wild, Simply Move Away

[FAM Times reporter Jennylyn Gianan] Snakes are reptiles that frequently appear during the hot summer months. Many people who see a snake may scream and run away or look for something with which to kill it. First, however, people need to understand the nature of snakes and move beyond common misconceptions.

Most people think a snake will attack immediately when it encounters a human. In reality, however, snakes are more afraid of people.

Venomous snakes, including rattlesnakes, are particularly common in the United States, and a considerable number of people have died from snakebites.

Kelly Norrid, an urban biologist with Texas Parks and Wildlife in the United States, explained that snakes will almost never attack people first.

Norrid added that snakes use venom to kill prey, but humans are too large for snakes to regard as prey.

Most people also believe that snakes will attack them in real life. When people find a snake, they react frantically and flee to the nearest shelter.

For people who do not want snakes near their homes, Norrid advised against providing hiding places in the yard, such as piles of branches or rocks.

Norrid also said it is helpful to learn how to distinguish venomous snakes from nonvenomous ones.

Norrid said, “The Houston area has vipers, cottonmouths and coral snakes. If you head up toward Conroe, you may find rattlesnakes, which are a protected species. If you travel south to some of the dune areas in Galveston, you will find western diamondback rattlesnakes. These snakes are truly dangerous species.”

Becoming familiar with these dangerous snakes can be helpful.

If you actually find a snake in your backyard, and it is venomous, the best approach is simply to leave it alone and move away.

Norrid said, “Move far enough away that the snake cannot come into contact with you, and just leave it alone. It will remain by itself and then move on, feeding on rodents such as mice.”

Killing a snake is not the best approach either, because eradicating snakes disrupts the delicate balance of the local ecosystem.

Snakes may look frightening, but they are not as bad as we think.

Jennylyn Gianan fam1@pcss.co.kr