I didn’t see a topic specifically on this question, but please redirect me or move to the appropriate one if I missed it with my topic search. I’m new at categorizing too, so any guidance is welcome if I’ve placed this in the wront place.
So, I’ve been asked a few times to “come get this snake.” Every once in a while, people who know me or know of me ask me to remove snakes from their properties, as they are either a nuisance or are in danger of being killed due to lack of education (the “all snakes are bad” kind of thinking).
We live in a small rural town and I’ve previously only dealt with corn snakes, garter, rat snakes and blacksnakes, nothing poisonous (though copperheads are spotted rarely around here too but I’venever come across one since I was really young). So I’ve only run across non-venomous ones. Those I’ve helped out with I release into cornfields/farm areas, but I’m wondering if this is the best option. Of course, I havent been able to capture some of them because they go under sheds, wiggle through fences, etc. But I just can’t stand knowing that there are many more in our area that I can’t save.
I would like to know if there are better places where I can release any snakes that I catch. I do wear heavy gloves, carry a hook, bins, double clothing and boots just to be as safe as I can. Or do you suggest I should just not remove them at all? Thank you in advance for any suggestions or comments.
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I have been asked on many occasions to remove snakes from the campground we live on. But I just take them to the wooded areas of the 350 acres and let them go.
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@spottedbull has the right idea! Usually some kind of not to be developed location, national parks, woods, open space ect. When I used to volunteer at a reptile rescue they had some contacts that were private land owners that actually wanted local herps released on their property. You may see if any local wildlife rescues have such contacts? On a side note, if you do come across a copperhead gets some pics of the lovely snake! They are some of the most beautiful snakes!
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We tend to relocate snakes that are a problem (ie in places we don’t want them to be because it’s unsafe for them or us) Snakes can be very beneficial in certain areas like your garden. My friends have often lamented that they don’t have garter snakes in their yard to deal with the slugs and snails in their organic garden.
I haven’t been able to convince my relatives not to kill rattlesnakes on their land but I know why they do it- it’s the snake or their kids. Children do stumble on rattlers and get bit sometimes out there, and people want their own property cleared.
I’ve often thought that if I was healthy, I’d think it might be a cool job for a decade at least to get lots of training in handling, then start a small business called Rattler Rescue, with a truck and a catchy number for people to call and have me come relocate snakes from people’s property to various large nature reserves and such places the local authorities approve of.
Anyone want that business idea, feel free!
@gina5678 I would advocate against EVER handling anything venomous without training in handling hots. THe best way to get bit is to try to mess with one when you don’t have specific training, so if you keep this up, I encourage you to be sure and find classes and courses for how to do it safely and correctly. Then when you DO come across something venomous you’ll be ready.
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I relocate for a few wildlife organizations. I struggle with this a lot. Most wild snakes will try to go home if you move them too far. They often die of dehydration on that journey. If you move them to the fringes of their current habitat, they tend to survive better, but they’re likely to be seen by the residents again.
I personally have some cherry picked spots near major water sources that have abundant food where I move adult snakes to. Babies I’m more likely to release right down the road somewhere. It’s a best of a bad situation thing in most cases. Yes they may die trying to make home, but they’ll almost certainly die from a shovel if they actually make it back there.
Here is a study that was done that gives a little more insight.
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I agree with the water issue. I relocate to the back side of the lake here.
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Thanks everyone! And thank you for the link to the research document, @ballornothing!
It sounds like I’m doing the right thing when I release them, though I should be more mindful of doing so closer to a source of water. We have some pretty large swaths of farmland close to home and some of those areas have a little stream nearby. I always offer a meal and fresh water before releasing, and it sounds like it’s the best I can do for them. I reached out to a lady who will soon be bringing a nature program into my county in the very near future who is willing to release the ones I catch into a sparsely populated area that will have an outdoor school as part of an educational program. So, for now, I’ll just continue what I’m doing.
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