Snake

meleahs · #1 05-19-2008, 09:47 AM

Does anyone know if a yellow bellied water snake performs any useful role in the garden. I know snakes kill rodents but, I'm worried about my fish. Also, are they aggressive?

bali · #2 05-19-2008, 09:59 AM

A large snake will eat the fish.No use in the garden at all.

I kill all my snakes.

Black.

bhscarlett · #3 05-19-2008, 12:38 PM

for Humans: Positive
Although seemingly insignificant, red-bellied snakes may be important to us in any number of unforseen ways. They are likely an important link in the food web as both predator and prey, and are therefore important in sustaining the integrity of our natural ecosystems. The condition of our ecosystems will likely, in time, be reflected in our economy.

In addition to food web relationships, their consumption of slugs, snails, and occasionally insects and larvae, may aid in controlling these pests in our farmlands and gardens (Harding 1997).

Ways that people benefit from these animals:
controls pest population.

Conservation Status

Red-bellied snakes often turn up around lumber, sheet metal, and other debris around homes, abandoned buildings, and trash dumps. Their proximity to humans can often result in death by some fearful person.

Red-bellied snakes are, currently, locally common in areas of suitable habitat. However, habitat fragmentation is probably reducing their numbers to some degree. They are often killed in large numbers while crossing roadways during migrations to and from their hibernacula. People should be educated on the harmlessness and value of this species (Harding 1997).

Contributors

bali · #4 05-19-2008, 04:35 PM

You can have them.

NJCWGRL · #5 05-19-2008, 05:44 PM

Hi,
THe snake will eat small fish. But,he will also eat rodants. I know this might sound weird. But, What is it with everyone wanting to Kill snakes

They have a right to live also, I have owned a few snakes and they were GREAT. I could never kill any animal just because You can try one of those fake owls by the pond I know it keeps the birds out. Sorry about venting but,it just seams people have it out for snakes & someone needs to take their side

Shannon

bali · #6 05-19-2008, 05:49 PM

Someone just found a house full of poisonious snakes, was that in Virginia?

Not a hobby here .........

meleahs · #7 05-19-2008, 10:01 PM

Goodness... I certainly don't want to cause a rift in the gardening forum.

I am a bit perplexed at this point.

So, I'll just vent a little and ask for opinions and facts. Both are always helpful. I have a pond with koi that we are very fond of. I dislike the idea of killing any animal as well. However, my main concern is my children. I have a 3 year old and several younger neighborhood kids that LOVE to hang out at our pond. I did some research on snakes and found that it can be very hard to distinguish a venomous water snake from a non-venomous water snake-- at least here in Texas

. One of the only ways to tell is a line that goes across their eyes... can be easy for an adult to distinguish but not a young child. The other concern I have is that the info I read said all these snakes are territorial and can be aggressive if you are in their territory. I guess I could try the owl. At this point I think catching the thing is out because one site said that's when most bites occur. I would LOVE to teach the kids about the benefits of snakes, food chain, etc. However, I don't think I can teach them to distinguish the venomous from non-venomous without concern for their safety. I'm open to ideas. Is there such a thing as a snake trap that would allow me to relocate the snake? My daughter gets extremely upset by killing an animal!

AHHH! Plus, I'm petrified to put my hand in the water to care for my water lilies. I have been sticking my hand in thinking... snakes as most wild animals are afraid of humans, it will be fine. After doing my research I'm not even wanting to get close. One guys finger was permanently paralyzed! Surely there is a happy medium in the gardening, children, snake world.

snowmm · #8 05-20-2008, 08:10 AM

When you are trying to protect your kids don't wait long enough to wonder if you don't know. Kill it - with the blade of your spade and find out later.

I don't think you were causing a rift...I think Shannon was just defending the snake because the snake couldn't.

I'm not for killing things either but I have no problem killing a fly, a mosquito, a wasp, a bee, a SPIDER (ugh!), or a grub. Yep, they all have a right to live but not around me.

I'm sorry, I can't answer your question about your snake but please protect your kids and yourself.

dirtyfingernails · #9 05-20-2008, 08:11 AM

Hey,
The best bet is for anyone to go to their local state sites on wildlife and find out what poisonous snakes reside there.Most will have descriptions and color photos or color plates of the locally occouring reptiles.
Here I have pigmy rattlesnakes,diamondback rattlers,and cottonmouths.I know what to look out for while I'm walking around.On my property here I have seen (1) pigmy and (2) diamondbacks. I did these in because of the danger to the dogs mostly. Down by the Suwannee River in back of the property there are quite a few cottonmouths.
I have Indigos and blacksnakes here that I often see while landscaping. I let them be and enjoy watching them.
My biggest problem here is the wild hogs that love to come over to visit.They want to eat what I eat and tear up the lawn and gardens.
Good side is that they love to eat snakes too. Also the #1 PITA has to be the common squirrels.They cause more damage than any other animal,bird,or reptile combined.
TTYL,
Bill

bali · #10 05-20-2008, 09:17 AM

Do the wild hogs root with the snoot? We had the tame years ago.
Smell awful , but good eating.
Now cow folks....

b

dirtyfingernails · #11 05-20-2008, 12:00 PM

Bali,
Yes , they root and dig with their legs also.It does'nt take long for them to dig out a row in a garden. We have ferral hogs and Russian hogs, and in-between breed hogs here.In the fall when I would like to harvest a few, they seem to disappear though.Sure is frustrating.I would just love to invite them to dinner. I'll get some pictures of them the next time they show up during the day.The russians with their manes held high give quite a show.
Take care,
Bill

bali · #12 05-20-2008, 12:39 PM

Bill, wowo
I would love to see those photos....Never seen a wild pig.

THe other year we were at a cookout in my sisters home.. Outside. Someone's Potbelly pig got loose and was going down the stree.
Everyone ran to look.. One of our neices yelled.."It isn't Often you see a pig walking the streets of Portage!"......That made a really hard laugh..LOL

dirtyfingernails · #13 05-20-2008, 12:53 PM

bali,
The strangest thing Candy and I have seen here was a male pit bull dog and a wild brown and white sow hog that used to roam around here together.We dubbed them :The odd couple.They must have parted company now as we hav'nt seen them together this year. I really had my doubts that it could ever last.

I could kick myself for not getting those pictures,
Bill