Snakes Anyone!

Snakes Anyone? Earl Plato
When will I see a snake at Marcy Woods? The fall and lowering temperatures have sent them under ground. How do you feel about snakes?
Jerome had found a snake in the backfield of the Garrison Road school playground. He had reached under the Frost fence and caught a garter snake by the tail. What to do with it? Jerome was a Grade Four pupil as I was and he did what he thought the natural thing to do. He chased the younger girls. Brandishing his foot long reptile he pursued them. They screamed as they headed headlong for the girls’ entrance at the back of the school. We boys laughed. Back then there was little playground supervision. Bring back memories?
I had no sisters but I have four daughters. Fear of snakes in our family? 40/60 I would say. Two of them abhor snakes the other two are not afraid and are interested in serpents. So they say. Wife, Elaine, has little fear and tips the scale.
From a Federation of Ontario Naturalist booklet I raise some viewpoints.
It appears that being a snake is a thankless existence. Snakes are often disliked simply for being snakes. Although they play a vital role in rodent and insect control, this is seldom recognized. While you personally may never like snakes, I think that you can try to appreciate the part they play in the “balance of nature.”
Here’s what some of the F.O.N. booklet said:
Myth: Snakes can sting with their tongues.
Fact: The snake’s tongue is really used to “smell” the ground and air. The tongue picks up the articles in the air and brings them to a special organ on the roof of the snake’s mouth. The tongue itself is soft and sensitive.
Myth: Snakes have an hypnotic stare.
Fact: Snakes do not stare. They just do not blink. Instead of eyelids to protect their eyes snakes have transparent, immobile scales. While their unblinking stare can be unsettling. they are really just looking - minus the blinking.
Myth: Fear of snakes is instinctive.
Fact: I didn’t mention that my four daughters had an older brother, Paul. He was and is a science enthusiast. Did he frighten his two older sisters as he brought home various animals? I saw my younger two daughters handle and even play with snakes. I see with my Junior naturalists, boys and girls) show unabashed curiosity when a snake is found. However, often adults will react with fear and disgust and this can be contagious. Snake hysteria is contagious especially for impressionable children. I remember all of the younger girls running and yes, some of the older ones too from Jerome’s harmless garter snakes.
To you adults, men and women, who have a fear of snakes exercise self control when around children, otherwise, the fear will be passed on.
Myth: Snakes are slimy and cold.
Fact: Snakes are dry and smooth to the touch. Being cold-blooded the body temperature of snakes depends on the temperature of the environment. If a snake has been sunning itself it will be warm to the touch. I once held a three foot Black rat snake. It was remarkably warm. If a snake has been hiding under a stone or log expect it to feel cold.
Myth: Snakes are dangerous.
Fact: Like any wild animal snakes will defend themselves if captured or cornered. Yes, a garter snake coiled itself and struck at my finger with its “teeth.” It drew a little blood. Dangerous? I had cornered it and had not expected a garter snake to attack. Lesson learned.
Only one species of Ontario’s fifteen different snakes is venomous. You know which one - the Massasauga rattlesnake. Given the opportunity this lethargic snake will flee if disturbed.
Fact: In the past 100 years in Ontario only two deaths have resulted from a rattlesnake bite.
Feel better about snakes? Next spring go looking for some, eh.