“A zookeeper has more of a chance of being killed or injured by an elephant when doing everything right than being killed or injured by a venomous snake when doing everything wrong,” a curator at a major zoo once told us.
Some people who don’t mind crowding a moose or a bison or a bear wouldn’t think of even looking at a snake. To some, snakes are creepy. To some, they appear slimy. Others worry that a snake will attack them. On the other hand, many of these folks have no compulsion about approaching wildlife that may prove unpredictable or that may harbor a bad temperament.
Observing Wildlife
Once, while returning from a hike in Grand Teton National Park, we spotted a moose across the road, blocking the trail to the parking lot. As we sat on a log at a distance and waited for her to move, her calf appeared from behind a bush. For some time, as cars zipped by unaware, we observed the mother and baby, peacefully browsing on willows.
Suddenly, a driver slammed on the brakes. His wife jumped from the car, camera in hand, and strode toward the mother and calf. Now alerted to the presence of these animals, subsequent cars pulled in behind or stopped on the road, blocking further traffic. We remained seated on our log at a safe distance observing the critter jam, amazed that anyone would risk their lives by approaching dangerous, unpredictable wildlife in order to snap a closer picture.
Stop for a Snake?
How many of those people would have stopped to snatch a photo of a garter snake lying on the road? Alternately, how many would have attempted running over the serpent, considering themselves virtuous for having destroyed a vicious animal that would, in fact, merely attempt escape rather than encounter a human?
While some wild animals have been depicted as cute and friendly in cartoons and movies, snakes usually suffer bad press. No end of movies portray this lowly reptile as evil, capable of consuming vast amounts and creating untold carnage. “The only good snake is a dead snake” has been the mantra for many Westerns and science fiction films pandering to fears already deeply imbedded in many.
Jeopardizing Wildlife
On the other hand, those who anthropomorphize four-legged hairy mammals and ignore warning placards and disobey park rangers may jeopardize not only themselves and their family members, but also the animals involved. While a sign warning of rattlesnake country would deter many, a “danger” sign regarding bison, moose, elk, or other captivating wildlife often lures gawkers and photo hounds.
Not long ago, a mother encouraged her child to pose next to a bison as she readied her camera for the picture, ignoring signs warning her to keep her distance from wildlife. Feeling crowded and threatened, the bison hooked the child with her horn and flick the kid over her back.
Trespassers who enter grizzly country despite repeated verbal and written warnings may cause a bear to be euthanized if it attacks the intruder. Wildlife is often the victim of those who encroach on their territory.
Vigilance
While it is important to be alert in snake country, hikers and other visitors need be as vigilant around all wildlife and heed caution signs placed for their protection. Many people have unreasonable fears of snakes, but everyone should have respect for and be on guard against potential dangers posed by any wild animal.
