A few months ago, we answered a 9-year-old who wanted to know why snakes were not allowed in New Zealand, his home country (Do Snakes Belong Everywhere?). The following is our correspondence with him after he delivered a speech on this subject:
Snake Thoughts
The Tooth of the Matter
Ever been bitten by a dog? A cat? A snake? An alligator?
Using a Snake as a Necklace (Revisited)
Once again we attended a reptile program that delivered excellent information, as well as attempting to instill a respect for these misunderstood creatures. Once again, however, showmanship degraded the message.
Do Snakes Belong Everywhere?
Snakes have a purpose in the world, consuming rodents, bugs, and even other snakes that bother us, as well as serving as food for other wildlife. But should snakes exist everywhere? A nine-year-old e-mailed us wondering why snakes can’t be introduced to New Zealand.
Snakes: Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em?
Author’s note: This article originally appeared at eNature.com and is republished here with their kind permission. The information within reflects many of our views.
Ophidiophobia is an irrational fear of snakes. Many people, perhaps a majority, claim to have a loathing or dislike of these limbless reptiles. Why do snakes get such a bad rap?
Does a Snake Make a Good Necklace?
“When my friend was at a reptile program, they hung a snake around his neck,” a second grader told us during one of our school programs recently. “When the snake started to curl around his neck, the owner said he’d take it off when my friend’s face started to turn purple.”
What Good are Snakes?
“The best use for a snake is to make belts and boots!” That sentiment closely follows, “The only good snake is a dead snake!” Despite the fear and animosity toward them, snakes have a place and a purpose in the natural world.