![]() ![]() ![]() If you do get too close, they will threaten and bluster as a warning, all the while staying open for their first chance to retreat. If they detect you coming these snakes will generally make every effort to get out of the way. Mostly they just don’t want to be stepped on. They have very little to gain from tangling with an animal the size of a human. The snakes, of course, are not looking for trouble. For others it is simply insulting-it’s easy to become angry when something essentially threatens to kill or injure you, no matter what the reason. For some people it can be very frightening. There’s something very basic about our reaction to crossing paths with a venomous snake. But snakes are often well camouflaged or well concealed, even the most sharp-eyed of us can have a close call from time to time. It pays to be on the lookout for vipers when out in the field during a hot Texas summer. Remember: While out and about enjoying the spring weather, wildflowers, and wildlife, it is extremely important to pay careful attention to where you s-s-s-step.A close encounter with a venomous snake can be an incredibly unsettling experience, especially when it comes as a surprise. In other words, don’t kill every snake you see.įorthman offered this advice for those who suddenly find themselves in the vicinity of a snake: In all instances, keep your distance, leave it alone, and move away. Diamondback water snakes are exceptional hunters and vital to the natural ecosystem, as are all snakes.” “A good rule of thumb: Water moccasins are rarely in high-traffic areas, while diamondback water snakes are often found there. “They are nonvenomous but often attacked because they look like water moccasins to the unfamiliar observer,” Pannell said. Snakes are often mistaken as a threat and killed, especially water snakes like the diamondback water snake. Pannell recommends staying on marked trails when hiking, which is a rule in all Texas state parks. “Snakes are often made out to be aggressive,” she said. Inks Lake State Park interpreter Lindsay Pannell agrees that snakes are given a bad name due to popular myths. He recommends respecting the snake’s space to keep peace between the species. “Many snakes have poor eyesight and often attempt to slither to safety in the direction of whatever it is they are trying to get away from,” he said. “The more aggressive snakes may stand their ground, giving anyone or anything approaching a chance to keep their distance,” he said, adding that most of the stories told of snakes chasing people are more often snakes attempting to get away. Forthman, who has more than 25 years’ experience working with snakes from around the world, said “snakes would much rather flee than fight.” Snakes are rarely aggressive, even the venomous ones, said Jarrod Forthman, development director at Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels. In fact, the bull snake is considered a farmer’s best friend as it preys on rodents that threaten crops and is a great organic method of pest control. Snakes help control pest populations by feeding on things such as slugs, insects, rats, and even other snakes. In fact, despite our fear of snakes, they actually do more good than harm and should be left alone to thrive in the environment, according to the experts. The good news is that most of these snakes - roughly 85 percent - are nonvenomous. Home to over 115 species and subspecies of snakes, Texas harbors more of these reptiles than any other state in the nation.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |