Snakes. One doesn’t need ESP to acknowledge they are one of the most condemned creatures on the planet. Most folks have their reason(s) to dislike them so intensely, but why do so many of us have such a negative perception of a relatively harmless animal – referring here to the innocuous, smallish variety found in the Willamette Valley?
The first reason that comes to mind is the biblical connection between serpents and sin and punishment. Another reason might be social influence.
If your parents or friends revile reptiles, you may as well. Another explanation could be fear, although I believe in the old maxim that they fear us much more than we fear them. Their only defenses are speed, the ability to fit into small spaces, and backward-facing teeth so tiny they are unlikely to harm any human.
But let’s talk about the accompanying picture. I took this picture north of Springfield on a somewhat rural road.
This snake caught my attention because he was pretty long, almost three feet. His mottle markings were very distinct (even handsome), but I did not recognize his breed. I took this picture from inside my car but then decided to try for a closer one. Wouldn’t you know it, just then, a car came around the bend. I was in the right lane, the snake in the left. Although there was no immediate danger to anyone, the other driver had no choice but to move to the left lane. I doubt he even saw the snake, but luckily, he had crawled off the road in the commotion. Since then, I have identified him as a Gopher Snake, also known as a bull snake. They are widely used in agricultural areas from Washington state to northern California.
According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are 15 snake species native to Oregon. Some are quite identifiable, like the Common Garter Snake, with its colorful full-length stripes, or the Ring-Necked Snake, named for the ring around his neck and brightly colored underbelly. The California Mountain King Snake is probably the most distinctive, banded with white, red, and black rings that run the full length of his body.
Our region’s most familiar backyard snake is the Common Garter Snake, including the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake and the Northwest Garter Snake. And just in case you’ve wondered (which I am sure you have), these harmless little snakes got their name in the 1700s because they resembled the garters men wore to hold their socks up. I would have instead kept my Latin name, Thamnophis sirtalis.
So, really, what are snakes good for, anything? To begin, they eat a lot of creatures that, for my money, are just as disagreeable – slugs, snails, frogs(!), small salamanders, and fish. However, I wish they would leave the birds’ nests alone.
You can do several things to minimize snakes by setting up a house on your property. Clear away piles of old wood, like plywood and building materials. Just be aware they are fond of stacked or piled fireplace wood and rock gardens. These places keep them warm during colder months. You will probably see them more often in Spring warming themselves or breeding. They breed in the Spring, and the babies are born in the Fall.
They have many dangers and natural predators, including large birds, raccoons, opossums, cats, roadway traffic, and lawnmowers. Maybe the next time you see one, you can just give him a little extra space. He really does not want to hurt anyone.
And just for the record … If this sounds a little defensive of these creepy creatures, let me be clear: I have never owned a snake, nor ever will. I do not want to pick one up or coddle it. I just wouldn’t kill one on purpose just because I could.
Norma Gavick is a lifestyles writer for The Chronicle.
