Snake skillfully slithers up brick wall like Tetris game
'He Looks So Proud!': Golden Retriever Brings Owner A 3-foot Snake
According to Newlin, the common garter snake is very … well… common where she and her family resides. Newlin recalled that the first time Scout brought her a snake, he chased her around the yard with it and buried the second one.
"I do not know if he killed it," said Newlin. "He was just carrying it in his mouth and never acted violent towards it. He did not seem to get bit either. I don't know if something happened to [the snake] prior to him finding it because part of the tail was missing."
The family's other dog, a German shorthaired pointer named Grace, also brings family members things.
"The dogs are notorious for bringing us stuff," laughed Newlin. "Scout in particular loves to bring us firewood for our wood pile, metal from our metal pile, he finds lots of bones to bring us, and tonight he found a skunk and was very proud of that as well. He has been seen playing with mice as well."
"He also loves to chew and once chewed up an electrical cord and the wires on my husband's trailer," continued Newlin.
Several users on TikTok pointed out how happy Scout looked.
"Aww, he brought you a nope rope," joked one user.
"HE LOOKS SO PROUD," said another user.
"He's a good boy," gushed a third person.
Snakes: Understand Them, Avoid Them
Snakes, whether we like them or fear them, are becoming more active this time of year and activity will increase as spring temperatures climb.
More encounters with snakes can lead to more bites for people and pets, but a basic understanding of their activity can reduce fears and prevent a trip to the hospital or vet.
Toby Hibbitts, Ph.D., curator of herpetology at Texas A&M Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections, BRTC, and research scientist at Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, has some tips on how to reduce snake attractants around the home and avoid snake bites.
"The main tip this time of year is to be aware of your surroundings and the scenarios that lead to accidental snake bites," he said. "If you know a snake is there, my advice is to leave it alone and back away to let them go their way."
Where and when you might see a snakePeople can encounter snakes while walking trails, camping, spring cleaning or gardening around the house, Hibbitts said. There is little to fear about snakes if a few basic precautions and principles are applied before and during an encounter.
Snakes are typically not aggressive and will try to escape an area if someone is approaching, he said. The best ways to avoid snake bites is to watch where you step or reach and to keep your distance if you see one.
There are no chemical repellants proven to deter snakes, Hibbitts said, but there are two things homeowners can do to reduce the likelihood of snakes hanging around a location—remove potential shelter and food.
Snakes are coming out of winter dormancy, and as they do, they need to shed their skins quickly, so they are looking for warmer spots that gather and maintain heat, he said. Pieces of plywood or flat sheet metal and rock or wood piles gather heat and make ideal places for a snake to warm during springtime temperature fluctuations.
During the summer heat, snakes become more nocturnal and look for shade and cool, moist spots, like burrows or under logs, he said. Homeowners should be cautious when moving debris or clutter around the house or when doing yard work, and never put their hands or feet in places they cannot see.
"In general, they will be under some sort of debris or cover," he said. "A well-kept yard with no tall grass or debris and wood piles that could provide warmth or shelter will make your yard much less attractive to a snake or their prey."
Food sources like rodents and insects can attract snakes, and species like rat snakes are known to seek food in man-made structures like chicken coops. Hibbitts said rodents and insects are typically associated with clutter and refuse, so tidiness around the home can reduce food and shelter.
Hibbitts said homeowners might see snakes sunning on rocks and logs this time of year. However, they are more likely to encounter a snake at night or around twilight hours—dawn or dusk—as temperatures increase. He recommends carrying a flashlight when walking in the yard at night to avoid a potential surprise encounter.
"No bare foot trips to take the trash out without a flashlight, especially if you are in the country or outskirts of town," he said. "Gardening, pulling weeds, moving debris, those are the most likely scenarios for an accidental snake bite. It's watching where you step and where you reach that are important, so just being a little cautious and aware of potential dangers can keep an encounter from going bad."
Understanding snakes helps avoid dangerous encountersMany Texans may view snakes as a dangerous pest, but they are integral to Texas' array of regional ecosystems, Hibbitts said. They are an important predator of insects and small mammals.
There are around 75 snake species in the Lone Star State, but only about a dozen are venomous. Common non-venomous species found throughout Texas include garter snakes, which people also refer to as garden snakes; rat snakes, also known as chicken snakes; and bull snakes.
Venomous snakes found in various regions of Texas include copperheads, cottonmouths, also known as water moccasins, coral snakes and several species of rattlesnakes, including western and timber rattlesnakes. Many of the rattlesnake subspecies found in Texas are in the Trans-Pecos region in the far western part of the state.
Hibbitts said learning about the preferred habitat and habits of snakes found in your area can reduce fears and improve people's awareness and ability to avoid a snake bite.
For instance, camouflage of copperheads blends well with leaf litter, which suggests they prefer woody environments and thickets, while cottonmouths are generally found near bodies of water, including creeks, ponds and springs.
Understanding what habitat, shelters and food sources snakes prefer is especially important as the state's population surges with people unfamiliar with Texas landscapes and animal species and suburban sprawl encroaches on habitat.
"Understanding habitat and identifying snake species you might be seeing around your property can go a long way in reducing fears or identifying a potential problem," he said. "If you're seeing certain venomous snakes around more often or at certain times of the year, there is probably something that is attracting them to the area."
What to do if bittenHibbitts said venomous snakes typically do not want to use their venom as a defense. They usually give warnings—like rattlesnakes rattling—before they strike. Defensive strikes are typically a response to harassment, surprise or feeling cornered and threatened.
"Venom is a limited resource that they would rather use for catching prey," he said. "A lot of negative things can happen to a snake when it strikes, so their priority is escape. They will rely on their camouflage or escape unless you are too close or put them in a situation where they feel cornered. If you give them space, they will move on."
The Texas Department of Health Services reported that half the reported bites by venomous snakes were "dry," meaning no venom was injected into the victim.
Most snake bites to people are to the feet/lower leg or the hands, Hibbitts said. All bites should be taken seriously and warrant a trip to the hospital.
Following a bite, take note of the snake's features or take a cell phone photo if possible to help medical professionals determine the correct treatment. Do not try to kill the snake. Many snake bites occur during attempts to kill them.
Victims should remove clothing like socks if bitten on the foot and items like rings on fingers if bitten on the hand because of swelling.
Tourniquets and suction devices or using other mythologized methods to remove snake venom could do more harm than good. Hospitals have anti-venom on hand and protocols in place to deal with snake bites.
Despite common misconceptions on how to deal with a venomous snake bite, it is best to keep the victim calm and get to a hospital as quickly as possible.
Parents should teach their children to avoid snakes and not to reach inside crevices and under bushes with low-hanging limbs.
Homeowners should also take precautions to reduce the chance of their pet encountering a snake, such as having them on a leash during walks. Hibbitts said leashes are a good idea at night if snake sightings are common in the area.
"It seems that everyone is fascinated by snakes, and everyone has stories about snake encounters, but the best thing we can do is understand them and avoid dangerous situations," he said. "If you're encountering snakes regularly, it's good to learn more about species common in your area. There is a comfort level in knowing whether it is dangerous or not, but I still recommend avoiding them and not trying to kill them. The process of killing a snake is the most dangerous thing to do."
Citation: Snakes: Understand them, avoid them (2023, April 21) retrieved 23 April 2023 from https://phys.Org/news/2023-04-snakes.Html
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9 Plants That Repel Snakes And Keep Them Away From Your Yard
© Shutterstock Snake in grass If you live in an area that is prone to snakes, it can be challenging to ensure your family and home are protected at all times. And if you don't want to encounter these slithering creatures, you'll be relieved to know there are certain plants that repel snakes.
Snakes live in various habitats, commonly found in damp zones, marshlands, where there is dense leaf cover, dry rock gardens and in deserts. And while most backyard, garter snakes are not venomous or harmful to humans (unless disturbed), it can still be a worrying thing to have them near. After all, you want to be able to sit outdoors, and enjoy the warm weather without the fear of snakes lurking around your yard!
By growing or placing a few snake-repellent plants around your yard and home, the strong smells will prevent them from going anywhere near your property. Just remember to never approach or handle a snake yourself, and contact your local snake pest control right away.
In the meantime, check out these 9 plants that will keep snakes from invading your yard.
1. MarigoldsThese warm, orange and yellow blooms can brighten up your yard, but are also effective at repelling snakes and other pests. These pretty florals release the strong, spicy smell, alpha-terthienyl – a phototoxin that snakes detest.
What's more, marigolds' root system grows deeply and in abundance. So this pungent smell can also reach deep into the soil, wherever a snake might be burrowing and hiding. This alone should deter snakes from ever returning to your yard.
Marigolds prefer to be planted in the full sun and require dry conditions with well-drained soil. These are also the best plants for repelling mosquitoes, and keeping them out of your home.
2. HollyHolly is often associated with the holiday season, but snakes dislike the low-growing variety. This is because its pronged, prickly leaves make it uncomfortable for snakes to slither over. In addition, holly has a strong scent that snakes steer clear of, making it the perfect deterrent.
You can plant container-grown holly anytime of the year, and after pruning mature bushes, you can also scatter the spiky leaves around the areas snakes are likely to enter. Just keep pets away from the red berries, as these are toxic.
3. Sansevieria or 'snake plant'Otherwise known as 'the mother-in-law's tongue', and a popular indoor plant, the sansevieria is a great snake-repelling plant. Rather than emitting an off-putting odor, it's actually the sharp leaves that keeps snakes at bay. With its tall and twisting shape, snakes are often threatened by the sharp leaf edges.
These hardy plants do well in warm climates, thriving in temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Although they require very little watering and maintenance, avoid placing in direct sunlight as this can scorch the leaves.
4. Lemongrass and citronellaLemongrass is a tropical, grass-like plant known for its fresh, citrus scent to fill the air. However this fragrance is overwhelming to snakes, and will keep them at bay. Ideally, grow or place lemongrass plants outdoors to ward off any pests. Since it's a tropical plant, it thrives in a hot environment with full sun and temperatures never dipping below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. What's more, it's very low maintenance and only needs regular watering in summer.
In addition, if you mix lemongrass extract oil with other essential oils, and spray it around the yard, this will be even more potent. You can also purchase citronella oil separately, much like this Handcraft Citronella Essential Oil ($9, Amazon). In fact, lemongrass and citronella are the most effective forms of repellents for rodents, mosquitos and other common pests. So it's a worthwhile investment!
5. Onion and garlicWe all have garlic and onions in our kitchens, and such smells are repulsive to snakes. This is thanks to their high quantities of sulfonic acid which gives off a pungent smell that snakes hate.
It's easy to learn how to grow garlic from cloves in your backyard or in pots. Or if you don't have the time to grow your own, you can make an easy garlic repellent. Simply take four or five cloves to make a puree, and add that to a pint of water in a spray bottle. Then, spray your solution around the yard to repel snakes and other pests like rats and mice.
Alternatively, you can chop up both garlic and onions, mix them with rock salt, before sprinkling around the yard. These concoctions might make your home smell of garlic, but it will be worth it in the long-run.
6. Pink agapanthusDespite its pretty, pink flowers, the agapanthus is actually a member of the onion family. This explains why the scent of the flowers and leaves are strong enough to repel snakes, and keep them at bay.
With its colorful clusters, this beautiful plant tends to grow fast, reaching up to 3ft tall. Just avoid planting in wet, waterlogged soil as this will cause the bulbs to quickly rot. Not only will the repugnant smell scare snakes away, but will make a beautiful addition to your garden.
7. Mugwort (Wormwood)Also known as Wormwood, Mugwort is essentially a weed that grows tall and has woody roots. With its greenish-silver leaves, its feathery foliage produces a strong scent that repels snakes.
Mugwort is easy to grow, and can reach heights of up to 2ft, with a 3ft spread. Providing it's in a bright, well-drained spot, this is ideal for planting around your yard or porch to keep snakes at bay. Just be mindful that mugwort can be invasive, so will need tending to on a frequent basis, to prevent it from growing out of control.
8. CactusSimilar to holly, snakes avoid thorny plants, so will steer clear away from the spiky cactus! You can grow cacti around the yard to safeguard your property, and they also make striking houseplants.
The best variety is the round barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii), which resembles spiky pin cushions. Since snakes slither low on the ground, these types are low- growing, and the ideal height to keep them at bay.
Similar to the snake plant, cacti thrives in full sunlight in very well-drained compost. While they don't require a lot of watering, it's best to water once a week during hot months.
9. Basil and sageThese aromatic herbs might be great for our tasty recipes, but also make a great snake repellent. In particular, clove basil, which has a distinctive clove-like smell that snakes dislike.
What's more, this basil plant can grow up to 6 feet tall, which will emit an even stronger aroma in the air. Simply sprinkle herbs into the soil and around your plants. The pungent smells should be enough to prevent snakes from roaming in your yard.
You can either grow fresh sage and basil in your backyard, in pots, or even buy from your local supermarket to plant outdoors. In any case, you'll have a constant supply for your delicious meals!
Other tips to prevent snakes in your yard
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