I know there are plenty of people who are ignorant about nature out there and it is disheartening. That is why we do educational programs, to help people understand that everything on Earth has value and a purpose and we need to educate ourselves rather than act out of some primal fear.
Today I was put in the middle of someone's fear and ignorance and had to confront it. A man came up to the Nature Center and asked for a staff member to identify a snake he had in a bag. At first I thought it was alive, but he proceeded to tell me he wanted to know "What kind of snakes he should be killing." I told him he shouldn't be killing any kind of snake and if he had killed a rattlesnake that it was illegal because they are protected in New York State. He said, "I'm leaving then." I told him, "Nope, give me the bag" and I took it from him. Inside was a beautiful (dead) milksnake. I told him it was a non-venomous snake, a milksnake. He said, "Good, now I know which snakes not to be killing" and he acted as though that was my cue to "high five" him. I told him again, he should not be killing any snakes and he acted incredulous. I told him he didn't have to like it and anyways I didn't make the law.
He then "shushed" me...that was another mistake. I don't like to be shushed. Anyone who knows me knows I am not a rude person, but if I am confronted with a situation where I feel someone is in the wrong, I don't turn tail and run, I deal with it, and I don't yell, but I am not a whisperer either. I told him not to shush me, he said I was echoing. Big freaking deal. I told him just like I don't make the laws, I didn't construct the building, it echoes. High ceilings and all. I don't care who you are, don't bring a snake you have killed to a Nature Center and expect a friendly reception. And if you have killed a rattlesnake, expect that I will report you, I am just that kind of a girl.
He walked out, I took the snake in the bag, I might have muttered something regarding ignorance, and went down to our Curator's office. I opened the bag and the snake's tongue flicked. It was almost chopped in half, but still alive. Thanks Mr. Ignorant, now I had to put the poor thing out of it's misery. The snake died because someone was fearful and uneducated. Tanglewood apparently still has a lot of work to do.
I kill all snakes on sight.
ReplyDeletethey kill my garden friends the toad.
they also have bitten 4 of my dogs, of which 2 died.
our nighbors little girl was bitten and a $50,000 hospital bill followed.
the only good snake is a dead one.
so I disagree with you, without calling you names like ignorant.
shame on you
Shame on ME?
ReplyDelete"I kill all snakes on sight. the only good snake is a dead one."
Nice.
Tonight a licensed reptile hadnler removed an eastern small eye snake (with a pink belly) from inside our house. The very knowledgable and professional handler advised us about the distinc natue of the venom this snake has. A bite will generally lead to necrosis - ie if your leg gets bit - your foot might need to be amputated. Ah great! Our 8mth old who is learning to crawl would not know that this unwanted geust isnt for picking up and putting in her mouth. This experience has been a real wake up call. I think it is stupid stupid stupif that there are laws prohibiting the killing of snakes. We should eradicate them from areas inhabited by people. Yes there is an ecological balance to maintain, but I fail to understand how snakes are vital to that balance. I think that terminating snakes humanely is the most sensible and common sense response a human can have to protect thier family and domain. I also think people should apply the best of their abilities to the selection of tools used to complete this task. A blunt shovel is not the best option where a firearm is available. Further a very long tool to pin the snake from outside its strike zone could be an approach to deal with dangerous snakes. I would like to know the best techniques available to kill snakes in a way that best reduces the snakes chances of escape or defence.
ReplyDeleteI am assuming you live "Down Under" since that is where Eastern Small-eyed Snakes are found. In the US, we have laws prohibiting killing threatened or endangered snakes. We don't have laws against killing all snakes, but unless someone is in immediate danger, killing a snake just because it is a snake is unnecessary. And eradicating all snakes where people live is not only impossible but doesn't make sense. Snakes keep the rodent populations down, which in turn keeps disease from spreading. And you are MUCH more likely to be killed in a car than you are by a venomous snake, even if you live in a part of the world where there is more than one type of venomous snake (unlike here in Upstate NY, where our ONE species of snake is so low in numbers that most people have never seen one nor will they ever). But because cars kill people, does that mean we should eradicate all cars?
ReplyDeleteThis forum is not the appropriate one for you to seek advice on how to best kill snakes. I'm sure you'll have luck somewhere else though.
As one or two people have said in their posts, snakes can often pose a danger - to dogs, to small children, and to other animals. We have two dogs and two infants, and had a nest with 4 sweet baby robins next to the front porch. Yesterday, a nasty looking snake was curled around the robin's nest, snacking away on two of the baby birds. I did proceed to kill the snake - it was quite close enough to the porch to strike us and I did not appreciate what it did to the robins. (The adult robins were frantically trying to scare off the snake - with no success.) It turned out to be a copperhead. My point - you condemned your visitor without even knowing all the facts.
ReplyDeleteIf a snake poses a danger, have it moved. I have children (3) and don't want them bitten. Unless it's a situation where a snake is about to strike a child (when force is needed), then removal of the snake is appropriate.
ReplyDeleteSnakes are animals and so are dogs. Why would you say it is fine to kill one animal just because it kills another. I would always side with the 'natural' animal, i.e. snakes, lizards, birds, etc naturally live in, say, the forest you live in. Dogs and cats don't. So if any of the animals should be killed, it should be the dog or cat.
Would you object if someone drove around and accelorated their cars (or if its a Toyota, it would do it automatically) when they saw a dog or cat walking in the street just to remove these threatening creatures from the area?
I am so upset. There were two snakes in our lake in our backyard. The neighbor thought they were a poisonous snakes. So I called the Wildlife Sanctuary. They were closed on a Saturday. So then I called 911 to have someone remove the snakes. A police officer came and said they were Water Moccasins. I took pictures. After the neigbor killed them I looked them up online and they were harmless brown water snakes. I was so upset. I let everyone know that we killed 2 harmless snakes that were partners. So sad. So if you can take pictures and look them up online BEFORE you do anything unless you are in immediate danger. I recommend educating yourself first with snakes.
ReplyDeleteI find it sad how fearful many people are about snakes and feel that "the only good snake is a dead one." How sick, savage, and cruel.
ReplyDelete"We should eradicate them from areas inhabited by people. Yes there is an ecological balance to maintain, but I fail to understand how snakes are vital to that balance." Oh my god. Ignorant to the point of being stupid.
Harmless or not, if it is close enough to be seen, it is time to redeem. I agree with you 100% Anonymous. When it comes to your children and pets, don't take any chances. I hate snakes, think they are evil to the core. How are you provoking a snake that you can't even see? yet it strikes you anyway. Give me a break. Only good snake is a dead snake......period. Report me sweetie, I don't give a damn.
ReplyDeleteActually, contact your local wildlife personnel to capture these snakes alive. Their venom now is found useful in part for cancer treatment, strokes, and a few other medical issues. Scientists need them alive so they can be cared for and obtain their venom. Why try to destroy something that can be removed safely and help treat other important issues. Do not try to handle a snake yourself. Take your animals and children away safely while waiting for the wildlife personnel. The most likely way to be bitten by a snake and trying to catch them or kill them. Leave it to the people who know what they are doing.
ReplyDelete