Feature Article May 20, 2004
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Snakes Alive!
As the rising temperatures of spring warm the earth, the snakes, which have been hibernating, will emerge from their underground winter homes. One of the earliest activities they engage in is mating, at which time it is possible to see a ball of snakes as the males attempt to win the female.
The earth is warming, but still cool, and to the snakes a good place to warm up is wherever the sun has reached rocky or gravelled areas, and so you will often see a snake lying on a road. Here it may become the death knell for the snake. Many snakes (as well as turtles) are killed by automobiles, unfortunately, at times deliberately. Snakes do not have a good reputation with most humans, many of whom are repulsed by the slimy, miserable creatures, and sometimes if a snake is spotted on the road there is a deliberate attempt to run over and kill it. How unfortunate!
Snakes are part of the ecological balance of nature, and as such occupy a niche that would be difficult to fill if lost. All snakes are carnivorous - depending on other animals such as worms, slugs, frogs, toads and salamanders, and occasionally small mammals, birds and fish for their food. They do not have teeth that are capable of chewing, instead swallowing prey whole, even though it may be larger in diameter than the snakes body. This is made possible by an elastic skin, and jawbones which move independently to form an opening that adjusts to the size of the prey.
Snakes in turn become prey for hawks, mammals and larger snakes, and so speed of movement and concealment are their means of escape. Without legs or feet, the snake will use muscular waves to force the overlapping scales on its skin to push against the surface on which it is lying. Put a snake on a smooth, hard surface, and it may wriggle helplessly.
The forked tongue of a snake cannot harm. It is soft, flexible, and is a sensory organ, picking up odours from the air, which are interpreted by a special organ in the roof of the snakes mouth. Because they do not have eyelids, they are unable to blink or close their eyes, and the resulting fixed stare along with the flickering tongue can be unnerving. But pick up a snake and you will find it feels warm, soft, smooth, and dry.
Of course, snakes react to humans - feeling threatened and some species like the Garter, Milk, and Water Snakes, will bite if handled, but they are not poisonous. Other smaller species will not even attempt to bite. The Black Rat Snake found in Murphys Point and Charleston Lake Provincial Parks is a very gentle snake even though the largest found in eastern Ontario. It, as well as the Milk Snake, will sometimes vibrate its tail giving the impression that it is the poisonous rattler.
Overcome aversion to snakes by learning more about them. And when you see one on the road allow it to live by driving around it, or stopping and removing it from danger. Snakes alive!
Observations: Helm, in Oconto, has been listening to a Treefrog, and when moving a planter, found it in the topsoil. He found the edible Yellow Morel (Morchella esculenta) growing on May 11 - the warm moist weather is good for fungi. Share your observations: call Jean at 268-2518, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
