Corn snake from the Sandhills area, exhibiting the vivid orange and black markings often associated with corn snakes from the coastal plain. Corn snakes are powerful constrictors which still play a significant role in controlling rodent populations throughout their range.
Copperhead from the same area with its distinctive "hour-glass" banding (wide on each side and narrowing significantly in the middle of the back). This juvenile still retains its green tail which is used as a "caudal lure" to attract small lizards and other prey.
Snakes are a vital part of a healthy ecosystem, consuming large quantities of insects and rodents, and providing food for larger predators such as owls and bobcats. Venomous snakes in close proximity to human homes can be a problem, but with common sense, education, and awareness, encounters with snakes need not have a negative outcome for either party.
when I moved here many moons ago I had to overcome my fear of snakes, I was a young girl with a young baby soon to be a boy then add a girl to the mix. My thought was they would also learn about and not fear snakes. We soon learned the many varieties and still have a hands off policy unless they try to move in the house.
ReplyDeleteThey are very useful and I let them live and eat as many rodents as they can.
Well said.
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