09-14-2007, 03:10 AM
LANDER - Encounters with snakes of all kinds tend to be avoided by most Wyomingites and our visitors, with the exception of a curious or audacious few. Snakes are commonly avoided, that is, unless the encounter occurs from within the comfort and safety of a vehicle. Unfortunately, this means trouble for an integral part of Wyoming's wildlife.
"Each year we encounter several snakes that have been run over repeatedly and what appears to be intentionally, and most of these snakes are not venomous," said Stan Harter, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Biologist. "Unfortunately, people don't seem to realize how important snakes are, even venomous snakes, not only to other wildlife, but to humanity as well."
Snakes are important to both wildlife and people in a number of ways. Probably most importantly, snakes are exceptional mechanisms for rodent control and the prevention of spread of diseases carried by rodents that affect humans and livestock. These diseases include (but are certainly not limited to) viruses like Herpesvirus, Hantavirus, and Parvovirus, as well as bacterial diseases such as Salmonella, Leptospirosis, and Streptococcus. As of March of this year, 7 cases of hantavirus alone had been reported in Wyoming.
"Snakes, even those that are venomous, are very important to Wyoming and all of its inhabitants because of the unique niche they occupy, that is, seeking rodents as a primary food source," said Bill Turner, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Herpetological Coordinator. "Much like having a cat around to reduce rodents, snakes serve the same purpose, and snakes won't pass on mammalian carried diseases that cats will."
Snakes also serve as important food sources for other wildlife including raptors such as bald eagles, owls, and Peregrine falcons.
In Wyoming, the number one cause for snake mortality is traffic related, and most incidents could be avoided," said Turner. "Snakes may cross roads to move from one habitat to another, but most of the time they are found on the sides of the road where drivers have to swerve to hit them. We completed a count on a road near Powder River and found that every mile 1.5 snakes had been killed. This isn't good wildlife stewardship, especially considering how many of our state's species of special concern are snakes."
State species of special concern are species of wildlife that Game and Fish biologists have identified as species that exist in very low numbers or have lost much of their habitat. These species are at risk of becoming threatened, endangered, or even extinct in Wyoming. Each of the 800 or more species that live in Wyoming was evaluated based upon their population trends and habitat conditions and assigned a ranking from 1 to 7, 1 being the species most at risk. Within the highest 3 levels of concern alone, biologists have identified 8 species of snakes that are at a high risk. These include the rubber boa, smooth green snake, Black Hills red-bellied snake, pale milksnake, Great Basin gopher snake, plains black-headed snake, and prairie and midget-faded rattlesnakes.
"Most people will tell you they swerve to hit snakes because they think snakes are a nuisance, or they think they are venomous, and they think snakes won't cause damage to their vehicles," said Turner. "Several myths lead people to think these things - myths like snakes are aggressive. Snakes are not aggressive animals; normally they just want to get away from us. And snakes have been known to puncture tires."
Two venomous snakes do exist in Wyoming, the prairie rattlesnake and the midget-faded rattlesnake. Neither species is aggressive, but they can be dangerous if provoked. If you encounter a venomous snake, stop, back away slowly, and let the snake get away from you. Never pick it up, poke it, or try to get a closer look, even if you think it is dead. Even a snake that has been killed can inject venom.
If a venomous snake bites you, don't panic. The rattlesnakes found in Wyoming inject venom when they bite people only about half the time; often they conserve venom for their next meal. Do not suck out the venom, do not cut into the bite wound, and do not apply ice or a tourniquet. Wash the area with water and soap, if you have it. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, but stay calm. Approximately 7,000 venomous snakebites are reported in the United States annually, the majority of which are attributed to eastern and western diamondback rattlesnakes that are not found in Wyoming. Of these snakebites, only about 10 result in deaths annually, or only about 0.001 percent.
The safest and most ethical thing to do when you encounter a snake, even when you are in a vehicle, is to leave it alone. Help conserve these important animals, and you could save yourself a tire.
For more information contact your local Game and Fish office at (307) 332-2688 or visit the Lander Regional Web page.
"Each year we encounter several snakes that have been run over repeatedly and what appears to be intentionally, and most of these snakes are not venomous," said Stan Harter, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Wildlife Biologist. "Unfortunately, people don't seem to realize how important snakes are, even venomous snakes, not only to other wildlife, but to humanity as well."
Snakes are important to both wildlife and people in a number of ways. Probably most importantly, snakes are exceptional mechanisms for rodent control and the prevention of spread of diseases carried by rodents that affect humans and livestock. These diseases include (but are certainly not limited to) viruses like Herpesvirus, Hantavirus, and Parvovirus, as well as bacterial diseases such as Salmonella, Leptospirosis, and Streptococcus. As of March of this year, 7 cases of hantavirus alone had been reported in Wyoming.
"Snakes, even those that are venomous, are very important to Wyoming and all of its inhabitants because of the unique niche they occupy, that is, seeking rodents as a primary food source," said Bill Turner, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Herpetological Coordinator. "Much like having a cat around to reduce rodents, snakes serve the same purpose, and snakes won't pass on mammalian carried diseases that cats will."
Snakes also serve as important food sources for other wildlife including raptors such as bald eagles, owls, and Peregrine falcons.
In Wyoming, the number one cause for snake mortality is traffic related, and most incidents could be avoided," said Turner. "Snakes may cross roads to move from one habitat to another, but most of the time they are found on the sides of the road where drivers have to swerve to hit them. We completed a count on a road near Powder River and found that every mile 1.5 snakes had been killed. This isn't good wildlife stewardship, especially considering how many of our state's species of special concern are snakes."
State species of special concern are species of wildlife that Game and Fish biologists have identified as species that exist in very low numbers or have lost much of their habitat. These species are at risk of becoming threatened, endangered, or even extinct in Wyoming. Each of the 800 or more species that live in Wyoming was evaluated based upon their population trends and habitat conditions and assigned a ranking from 1 to 7, 1 being the species most at risk. Within the highest 3 levels of concern alone, biologists have identified 8 species of snakes that are at a high risk. These include the rubber boa, smooth green snake, Black Hills red-bellied snake, pale milksnake, Great Basin gopher snake, plains black-headed snake, and prairie and midget-faded rattlesnakes.
"Most people will tell you they swerve to hit snakes because they think snakes are a nuisance, or they think they are venomous, and they think snakes won't cause damage to their vehicles," said Turner. "Several myths lead people to think these things - myths like snakes are aggressive. Snakes are not aggressive animals; normally they just want to get away from us. And snakes have been known to puncture tires."
Two venomous snakes do exist in Wyoming, the prairie rattlesnake and the midget-faded rattlesnake. Neither species is aggressive, but they can be dangerous if provoked. If you encounter a venomous snake, stop, back away slowly, and let the snake get away from you. Never pick it up, poke it, or try to get a closer look, even if you think it is dead. Even a snake that has been killed can inject venom.
If a venomous snake bites you, don't panic. The rattlesnakes found in Wyoming inject venom when they bite people only about half the time; often they conserve venom for their next meal. Do not suck out the venom, do not cut into the bite wound, and do not apply ice or a tourniquet. Wash the area with water and soap, if you have it. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, but stay calm. Approximately 7,000 venomous snakebites are reported in the United States annually, the majority of which are attributed to eastern and western diamondback rattlesnakes that are not found in Wyoming. Of these snakebites, only about 10 result in deaths annually, or only about 0.001 percent.
The safest and most ethical thing to do when you encounter a snake, even when you are in a vehicle, is to leave it alone. Help conserve these important animals, and you could save yourself a tire.
For more information contact your local Game and Fish office at (307) 332-2688 or visit the Lander Regional Web page.