Georgia Magazine - April 2011 - (Page 42)

Snakes: The most misunderstood species Close encounters of the reptile kind BY LAINE KIRBY WOOD G eorgia is home to 40 different species of snakes. The chance of encountering a snake increases with the time of year, temperature, humidity level and location. In other words, eventually, you are going to come across one. Snakes make you sit up and take notice. They slither, have a bad biblical reputation and are often portrayed as evil by Hollywood, and sometimes you just can’t get past all that. However, only six species in Georgia are venomous and, most times, a snake will attempt to warn you or try to get away from you if given the opportunity. But even a rattlesnake won’t always rattle before it bites. Patrick Ireland, editor of “Georgia Venomous,” an e-mail newsletter, teaches habits, habitats, beneﬁts and dangers of these misunderstood reptiles. He speaks to Scout troops, corporations, students, youth groups and anyone who will listen. “Your chances of being bitten by a snake are barely a blip on the radar,” says Ireland. The Inset: The canebrake rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus (rattle population of the U.S. is tail, horrible), is lighter in color than the diamondback. close to 310 million with Above: The eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus 7,000–8,000 bites occur- adamanteus (rattle tail, diamondlike pattern), is the largest ring each year with only 8 of all rattlesnake species and the most sought after. to 12 fatalities, according to the American Medical Association. cent. Prices for crops rise to cover Chances of being bitten: .000005824 losses, increasing costs in the marpercent. Chances of surviving: 99.999 ketplace. “Snakes are ‘free’ rodent percent. control, keeping some pesticides off Ireland states that 76 percent of ﬁelds and holding down our food snakebites occur at home, 11.5 per- costs,” notes Ireland. cent in the workplace and 8 percent Smaller snakes eat grubs, larin the wild. Most bites occur at home vae and insects that, left unchecked, on the hand or forearm when the can decimate gardens. Snake venom victim tries to capture, kill or harass a snake. Resources: Snakes play an important role in • Snakes of Georgia and South nature. They reach sexual maturity Carolina: www.uga.edu/srelherp/ at an average age of three years. A snakes/index.htm 4-foot-long adult snake will consume • Department of Natural Resources: www.georgiawildlife.com. Click on “Conservation,” then on “Publications and Reports,” then scroll down to “Snakes” • Southern Reptile Education: www. reptileeducation.com GEORGIA MAGAZINE 75 mice a year. Mice reach sexual maturity in ﬁve weeks, and can have litters with up to 32 pups every 22 days. If the 75 mice were not eaten, they could be responsible for 3,000-5,000 The copperhead or Agkistrodon contortrix (hooked tooth, twisted pattern) is responsible mice a year. If not for snakes, rodents would overrun us! for more U.S. envenomations (bites) in the Depending on the type of crops, wild than any other North American species, rodent infestation losses have been but very few fatalities. It is also the most recorded from 4 percent to 65 permisidentiﬁed venomous snake. 42 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org BRETT GARDIN http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/index.htm http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/index.htm http://www.georgiawildlife.com http://www.reptileeducation.com http://www.reptileeducation.com http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - April 2011

Georgia Magazine - April 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Currents
Standing for the Fallen
Green Power EMC: First and 10
LEEDing the Way
Special Travel Guide
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Cookbook of the Month
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - April 2011