Snakes in Your Grass
- Julie Maxey-Allison | 10th Street
Of the 3000 snake species world wide 24 live in our local areas including forests, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and desert. Of the 24, six are venomous* and downright dangerous, but others are not. They are all are wild animals that just want to be left alone with a commonality: a vertebrate, a backbone, ribs, and a skull plus a heart, one or two lungs, kidneys, liver, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and a brain, just like humans. And they have a sense of fashion: they stay current by updating their keratin scale skin outfits. They slither out of the old into something new every couple of months.Since snakes in general have a sketchy reputation you may not think of any one as a potential helpmate. However a snake can be a great equalizer in your garden.
While there are harmless snakes that can be beneficial to your garden and yard the gopher snake can be especially helpful. Their food sources are your pests. Gopher snakes feast on mice, rats, moles, voles, lizards, frogs, slugs, and even other snakes.
However, there is no single simple way to identify snakes, such as head shape or eye pupil without a learned practice so it is best to be weary of the venomous snakes including the very available rattlesnake. Whatever the species, respect the snake by leaving it alone. There are several websites that help identify snake species including The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians and Peterson Field Guide Series to Reptiles and Amphibians and on line at californiaherps.com.
*Note: venom has its uses in scientific experiments. Chemicals derived from venomous snakes are studied for use in medicines that can potentially be used to treat human diseases including heart disease, kidney function, and possibly certain cancers.