MILK SNAKES! AHHHH maybe graphic

[Sparrow]

I believe I made it clear that people should respect and avoid snakes...not hug them. I'd be crazy to tell people that. I don't even hug my own snakes.

There is NO reaon for this to be a fight! I don't agree with your ideas, but I'm not attacking you for that. I'm sharing my ideas for everyone who wants to read them, not directing them at you or anyone else. A number of the people here who are all for killing snakes are very quick to say "Don't like it, don't read it" to others. That can apply to this situation, too. If you really don't like what you read, no one is forcing you to continue reading it or to respond accordingly.

 

[amazondoc]

I just found this list of reptiles and amphibians that are protected by state laws across the country. It's an impressively long list!

http://www.1000petstores.com/Endang...Amphibian/protected_snakes_and_amphibian.html

 

[Calebs Acre]

The only problem with that list is that you'd have to have a very thorough education to know what they are talking about and if I see a snake approaching me, I'm not going to be able to think about whether it's "on the list" or not.

I understand the premise of "educating yourself", but I do not think that the average person is expected to spend hours and hours of research to learn to identify all of the reptiles on the endangered list, unless there is a specific species that is especially prevalent in your area. I also think it depends on the zoning of your area...or the type of community...rural, urban, suburban, etc.

Being in a suburban community, there are many transplanted "city people", some of which would share my gut reaction upon seeing a snake and not even consider whether the creature is protected or not.

We all come from different areas, different backgrounds, and have different levels of comfort with things. It's easier to "live and let live" with a creature who is not potentially harmful to you or your beloved family members--including the feathered members. Snakes come in many flavors, so their threat level just isn't as easy to discern in a matter of seconds. Some people have never seen ANY of them close up and in person. If their first encounter is watching the snake come close to their chicken coop, or family...well....

I just feel that there are no absolutes in this discussion and there are many people here with very polarized attitudes. With this being the case, there can be no substantive argument that will sway most people away from their position. So, instead of criticizing each other, consider that the initial question was an attempt to become educated for the future about that type of snake. Rather than criticize for taking the action that was taken, perhaps we should look at the fact that this was an opportunity to learn about snakes.

It won't keep me from screaming and wanting to shoot the snake, but maybe there are others out there who aren't as diametrically opposed to the poor critters as I.

 

[Ugly Cowboy]

Quote:
Folks are intitled to there views, of course. BUT the folks who dont want to read about how we get rid of predators needs to stay off the predator topic, and not tell us that we're "ignorant, scared, or mean" just because we protect our flock, simple as that.

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Absolutely. I was offering it as evidence against the claim that a person can kill whatever they want on their own property, not as a guide book.

I understand the premise of "educating yourself", but I do not think that the average person is expected to spend hours and hours of research to learn to identify all of the reptiles on the endangered list, unless there is a specific species that is especially prevalent in your area. I also think it depends on the zoning of your area...or the type of community...rural, urban, suburban, etc.

Again, absolutely. We agree completely.

"Education" doesn't have to mean that you must memorize every single species of native wildlife in your area, along with all the attendant rules and regulations. It DOES mean that, if you are going to live in areas where there are wild animals, you should make a reasonable effort to learn about those wild animals and rational means of coexisting with and/or managing those animals.

For instance with snakes, a few pertinent facts to learn would include:

1. In most areas of the country, if it doesn't have a triangular head then it isn't venomous. In a few areas of the country you also need to remember that a red/yellow/black banded snake is venomous ONLY if the red and yellow bands touch each other.

2. In this country, if it isn't a venomous snake, then it can't seriously harm you unless you get seriously stupid (like one idiot I heard of who was showing off to his buddies by putting his snake's head in his mouth!). Even if the snake does manage to bite you, which does hurt, you are not going to die of "blood poisoning". A healthy respect is certainly called for -- but hysteria isn't.

3. There are many ways of dealing with unwanted snakes, aside from killing them. Sometimes killing is a reasonable solution -- as with poisonous snakes close to a home. Other times, other alternatives may be preferable.

I have no problem with people being afraid of snakes. Fear is a natural reaction to many things. But, again, humans have big brains for a reason. We are smart enough that we don't have to react automatically based on our fear alone -- we can think through our fear and act rationally in spite of that fear.

So, instead of criticizing each other, consider that the initial question was an attempt to become educated for the future about that type of snake. Rather than criticize for taking the action that was taken, perhaps we should look at the fact that this was an opportunity to learn about snakes.

Once again, you and I agree completely. The OP came here asking questions -- exactly the right thing to do. IMHO she did the wrong thing by killing the snake, but as I mentioned in another thread -- we all make mistakes. The important thing is not to criticize, but to educate.​

 

[amazondoc]

Quote:
Absolutely right.

BUT the folks who dont want to read about how we get rid of predators needs to stay off the predator topic

This can easily be turned around to say "the folks who don't want to read about how WE (non-killers) get rid of predators need to stay off the predator topic". Remember, "folks are entitled to their views". That means ALL folks, not just you.

and not tell us that we're "ignorant, scared, or mean" just because we protect our flock, simple as that.

I agree that we don't need the personal attacks. Just like people shouldn't be calling non-killers things like "animal hugging freaks". EVERYONE needs to respect the views of others, and that means BOTH sides of the issue.​

 

[horsejody]

I hate snakes. When I see a snake, I tell DH it's time to mow. If anybody doesn't like it, too bad.

 

[ticks]

Sorry, but if I see another milk snake (which aren't on the list) I will kill them. I won't risk it.

 

[Oblio13]

(edited by staff)

 

[amazondoc]

(edited by staff)