Snakes in the Garden
Andy Williams from Lichterman Nature Center talks about the beneficial qualities of snakes in the garden and also what to do if you find one – venomous or otherwise. Snakes are opportunistic feeders, they eat what they can get. Young snakes eat slugs, worms and other small creatures. As they get larger snakes start eating rodents. Water snakes eat diseased fish and thin the herd. Snakes are also good for controlling fleas and ticks. Snakes eat thousands of fleas and ticks each year as they eat the rodents they are attached to. Snakes like to live in the same habitat as their prey.
When you see a snake, you should take three steps back and walk away. This applies to venomous and non-venomous snakes. Snake bites are rare but 40% of all snake bites are from people trying to handle the snake. Andy tells of two recent cases of snake bites where people handled snakes. Also, UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Carol Reese tells of her experience getting bitten by a copperhead and what she learned from the experience.
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When you see a snake, you should take three steps back and walk away. This applies to venomous and non-venomous snakes. Snake bites are rare but 40% of all snake bites are from people trying to handle the snake. Andy tells of two recent cases of snake bites where people handled snakes. Also, UT Extension Horticulture Specialist Carol Reese tells of her experience getting bitten by a copperhead and what she learned from the experience.
Related Videos:
What is this snake like creature? -Horsehair worm
Snake Bites
Related Resources:
Snakes