Crucial Lives On The Earth .

Chapter 10

Many people have a deep-rooted phobia of snakes ; our cultural traditions and stories often set up snakes as the "bad guys", and this fear is reinforced in children .

Snakes , however , are some of the most harmless and misunderstood wildlife and are important members of our ecosystem as both predator and prey . Few snakes are aggressive by nature ; snakes are first cowards , then buffalos , and last of all warriors . Most snakes want to avoid something as large as a human , and would prefer to get well out of our way ! Many snakes prey on small rodents , which make them great neighbors to have .

However , if you're uneasy around snakes , there are a few actions you can take to minimize the chance of having a negative interaction with your snake neighbors . Depending on where you live , there are several species you are most likely to encounter .

Many people fear snakes because they are worried that the particular snake they see is venomous . but most snakes are non-toxic .

The Wildlife Center encourages people to humanely remove snakes from their home or relocate the snake to another part of the property if necessary and to never kill them .

Not only is killing the snake illegal , it also doesn't solve the issue . If there is a snake on your property , it means that the habitat is desirable and there is a plentiful food supply .

If you kill or remove the snake , another snake may readily move into the empty (and desirable) habitat . If you leave the resident snake alone , there are steps you can take to ensure you encounter the snake less frequently . If you see a snake in your yard , the best thing to do is let it go on its way . After all , it's likely helping reduce pests around your home and garden ! If you'd rather not continue seeing snakes , eliminate the areas where snakes want to spend time .

Snakes don't like being out in the open and often seek cover. Remove potential hiding spots, including : Piles of rocks , wood , and other debris ; Tall grass ; and cracks and gaps under sidewalks and solid porches . Remember , if you see snakes in your yard , it's likely that there is a good food source there . Deterring the prey of snakes is a very important part of deterring snakes . Clean up trash , spilled birdseed , and pet food to eliminate mice .

Snakes may enter a house to seek food (usually mice) or temporary shelter . Some snakes may try to overwinter in a basement or cellar area ; they depend on their external environments to regulate body temperatures . The simplest way to remove a harmless snake is to open an exterior door , and use a broom or shovel to help escort the snake outside .

Never kill a snake . Killing a snake doesn't help keep more snakes away , and even though you may be uneasy around snakes , they are important members of our ecosystem . It's also illegal to kill snakes in Virginia unless there is an imminent threat to one's personal health and safety .

Don't attempt to handle venomous snakes . If you don't approach the venomous snake to handle , remove , or kill the snake , you'll eliminate any chance of being bitten . Call a professional if you need to remove a venomous snake from a high - traffic area with children and pets .

When hiking or climbing or when working in wooded areas , don't put your hands and feet in places you can't see . Snakes often hide under logs and in crevices .

Don't keep a wild snake as a pet . It's important to keep wildlife in the wild where they belong ; snakes can also be difficult to properly care for in captivity .

If attempting to remove a snake from the house , don't use glue traps ; they are inhumane and lead to prolonged struggling and suffering for the animal .

I'm also little bit fear to snakes but I always try to minimize it . They also a part in our environment . We should be kind to them ..