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Watch Those Snakes, Expert Says
COLLEGE STATION, April 22, 2010 – Warmer temperatures in Texas mean budding flowers, spring storms – and plenty of snakes. The state is a ground zero for many types of the reptiles, and about 37 different species of snake call Texas home, meaning there’s lots of hissing and slithering going on out there, and hikers and walkers should be aware that snakes are now active, says a Texas A&M University expert.
Teresa Shisk-Saling, a registered veterinary technician and experienced herpetologist in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says she has already received calls from people this spring who have had some very un-wanted visitors.
“Snakes are now active, they are on the move and people need to be alert if they are outdoors and in an area that could contain snakes,” she notes.
“But above all, don’t think that all snakes are dangerous. Too many people believe the old adage that ‘the only good snake is a dead snake.’ That is just not true.”
Although snakes are found in most of the world – Ireland, Iceland and New Zealand are some of the snake-free countries – only four types found in Texas are venomous: the coral snake, copperheads, cottonmouth (also called water moccasins) and the rattlesnake. Of those four, the coral snake has the most potent venom, Shisk-Saling says, but “the good news is, coral snakes are not seen that often.
“The others, especially rattlesnakes and copperheads, can be found just about anywhere in Texas and the Southwest,” she says.
A case of mistaken identity is often found in the case of the rat snake, she explains. It has markings very similar to a rattlesnake, and for that reason, people often kill it the instant it’s seen.
“The rat snake is one of the most common found in the state, and it tends to be very aggressive, so people often kill it just to be on the safe side,” she adds. “But it is harmless, and like all snakes, it serves a very useful purpose – it helps control unwanted rodents and insects.
“One of the questions we often get is, how do you tell a venomous snake from a harmless one? The answer is, it’s very difficult,” she adds. “There seems to be an exception to almost every rule about identifying venomous snakes. If you can turn one over, you will see that along its back tail, there are rows of scales, called scutes. If you see a double row of these, it means that snake is not venomous. A single row means it is.”
One good reason not to kill every snake you see: Many types are protected by law, even some types of rattlesnakes, Shisk-Saling notes. “It’s not a good idea to go hacking away at any snake you see because you could be breaking the law and face a fine.”
The best way to avoid snakes? “Stay away from places they are likely to be,” she says. “This includes most rocky or brushy areas.”
And don’t worry about those “snake tales” such as coming across a 20-foot python, as is often seen in southern Florida.
“Those are tropical snakes that come from Asia and South America, and they would not survive a Texas winter,” she says. “They may do well in Florida, but you are not likely to see them here. We have a difficult time keeping those kinds alive here under controlled environments and in covered living areas.”
For more information, she recommends several websites such as: http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps
http://www.austinherpsociety.org/newsite/austinHerps/herpsOfAustin.html
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/endang/animals/reptiles_amphibians
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