Creatures in Need of a Press Agent Week -- Candidate No. 4- The Snake

Today's photo is of a northern black racer (Coluber constrictor constrictor) consuming a rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus horridus) by Aura Stauffer, DCNR, Bureau of Forestry. Perhaps an odd site of snake eating snake, but snakes survive by eating animals whether mammal, amphibian or a fellow reptilian.

Myth: Snakes are slithery and slimy - yuk!

Truth: Perhaps because of their locomotion and long, thin bodies, people associate snakes with worms, some of which do produce mucous. But snakes are not slimy - they are covered with small scales that are actually very smooth. If you get the chance to touch or hold a snake, note the supple and muscular body.

Myth: Snakes are dangerous and aggressive and therefore best not to have around.

Truth: Snakes can bite and three species in Pennsylvania are venomous (the eastern massasauga, the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead) but escape is a snake's first defense. Bites happen when a snake is handled, cornered or otherwise threatened. Snakes eat a variety of small animals, including mice and other rodents, so they serve an important role in the food chain and may benefit your garden and yard by helping to keep rodents populations in check.

Myth: Snakes are dangerous and aggressive and therefore best not to have around.

Truth: Snakes can bite and three species in Pennsylvania are venomous (the eastern massasauga, the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead) but escape is a snake's first defense. Bites happen when a snake is handled, cornered or otherwise threatened. Snakes eat a variety of small animals, including mice and other rodents, so they serve an important role in the food chain and may benefit your garden and yard by helping to keep rodents populations in check.

Myth: Snakes have the power to hypnotize their prey before striking

Truth: Snakes will pause when sensing motion or the scent of an animal. Some species may lift their heads and upper body or move their head slightly from side to side. But there is no hypnosis going on - it's simply the snake trying to make sense of its environment. And the quick, darting motions of the tongue are not meant to distract or stupefy prey but to gather molecules of scent.

Myth: Water snakes are particularly dangerous and eat trout and other sport fish.

Truth: The only venomous water snake is the eastern cottonmouth and Pennsylvania is a good deal north of its range. Our native snakes, including the queen snake and northern water snake, feed on fish, frogs, crayfish and other animals associated with water. They will pursue slow, injured or otherwise compromised animals before dining on prized, quick-swimming trout fingerlings.

In keeping with the upcoming month-ending holiday, the week of October 20th through the 24th, WPC Daily will feature five creatures who have a reputation of being "scary." We will present facts that, hopefully, will dispel some myths and will invite you to vote for your favorite. The winning photo will be announced on Thursday, October 30, when all participants will be able to download a screensaver of the entire group in time to celebrate Halloween. Voting begins tomorrow.

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