09/07/2013
USARK - United States Association of Reptile Keepers
Not everyone is a "snake person," but those people can still learn. Here is a very good quote about snakes from the below article: "You don’t have to like them, you don’t have to want to handle them, you don’t have to even enjoy that I handle them, but just learn enough to respect them.”
'Shedding new light on snakes'
Rebecca Mullins is charmed by snakes.
While many people shudder at the thought or sight of a stealthy, slithery serpent, the educator at Moreau Lake State Park has childhood memories of being out in the woods with her parents and rolling logs, eager to see if she could unearth any of them.
After meeting a student who researched the Eastern hognose snake at the park last summer for his master’s degree in h**petology, Mullins’ interest was rekindled.
She did further study on snakes, with an emphasis on the Eastern hognose, and now presents to park visitors “The Secret Life of Snakes,” a nature hike/discussion she hopes can dispel some of the fears and misconceptions people may have about snakes in general.
“I want to give people the opportunity to learn and ask questions, especially little kids,” Mullins said. “You don’t have to like them, you don’t have to want to handle them, you don’t have to even enjoy that I handle them, but just learn enough to respect them.”
Recently a group of two dozen children and parents sat spellbound in the nature center listening to Mullins, peering at an 18-inch black melanistic hognose coiled in the palm of her hand. She emphasized that she was only able to possess the native New York snake because she obtained a permit from the DEC. She also held out a tiny 2-month-old western hognose with tan and black markings.
Mullins explained to the group there are 17 species in New York State and some of them are found in this area, including the Northern water, milk, black rat, common garter and Eastern hognose snakes. There are no venomous types in Saratoga County, but the timber rattlesnake, which is venomous, is known to live in Warren County, especially in the Tongue Mountain range on Lake George.
Around Moreau Lake State Park it isn’t uncommon to see water, garter and hognose snakes — of which Mullins has seen more than a dozen. She said while many people despise snakes, they benefit us by feeding on the rodent population.
She talked about habitats, mating habits and the way to distinguish a male from the female — by the taper of the tail.
The Eastern hognose, in which Mullins has a special interest, has a triangular-shaped head, upturned snout and digs in the dirt to uproot toads and frogs. It likes sandy soil to lay eggs and goes underground in the winter to be dormant.
Mullins said she saw a mother snake laying eggs on a recent evening, but by the next morning, all but one of 40 had been dug up by predators.
“If that snake hatches, I’m naming it Nemo,” she joked.
The non-venomous, non-aggressive hognose makes for good demonstrations, Mullins said. But when this species is threatened, it can be mistaken for a venomous cobra in the way it hisses and flattens and widens out its head. Unlike the cobra, though, the hognose rolls over, defecates and plays dead if it continues to feel threatened.
It can be difficult to decipher a type of snake by its color and markings, so you might not be able to tell whether it is venomous or aggressive, Mullins warned. It’s best to do nothing to antagonize it.
“It really doesn’t want to bite. The reason they bite is to protect themselves, and the reason to protect themselves would be if we were harassing them,” she said. “Quite often, people will have injuries to the hands, which means they’re grabbing for a snake.”
Thirteen-year-old Nathan Bidwell of Hartford thought Mullins’ demonstration was “great.”
“I love snakes,” he said.
Amaya Kilinski, a 13-year-old from Ballston Spa, said she doesn’t go out actively looking for snakes, but she doesn’t have a fear of them.
Colleen Zorbas, a Colonie mother, said she and her son are always visiting the nature center at Moreau Lake State Park, and because of this type of education, they aren’t afraid of snakes.
“They’re such amazing creatures,” Zorbas said.
IF YOU GO
“The Secret Life of Snakes” will be presented from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and July 29 at the nature center or on the trail (depending on the weather) at Moreau Lake State Park in Moreau. Reservations are requested by calling 793-0511.
Article via http://poststar.com/lifestyles/shedding-new-light-on-snakes/article_f2b03850-e4e2-11e2-8e05-001a4bcf887a.html
Eastern hognose photo © Pierson Hill
