Snakes are the animals that surely lose any popularity contest because it is a common perception that snakes are creatures we should fear a lot. In addition, snakes are dangerous creatures, and the ratio of their bite survivors is quite less.
But the factual information tells us something otherwise. In this article, we will share some information about whether you can keep snakes around you or not and up and downsides.
Are snakes good to have around?
Upon seeing the snake in the yard, there can be different reactions from various people? Some people just jump to step aside from it. Some people wonder how snakes managed to leap inside their garden, while many few of them admire the presence of snakes.
| SNAKE | CHARACTERISTICS | ALLOWED TO BE AROUND |
| Pythons | Highly Venomous, they attack in a camouflaged way | NO |
| Boas | Venomous and Killer Snakes | NO |
| Eastern Hognose Snake | Completely harmless and non-venomous | YES |
| Texas Brown Snake | Non-venomous and shy breed | YES |
| Texas Rat Snake | Non-venomous, only bites when scared | YES |
| Kingsnake | Venomous, dangerous and attacks by hiding | NO |
| Rat Snakes | Harmless to people who only feed on rodents | YES |
| Hognose Snakes | Non-venomous to humans, eat only toads | YES |
| Blotched Water Snake | Non-venomous, only bite when feel harrassed | YES |
| Broad-banded Water Snake | They only bite when threatened, non-venomous | YES |
| Racers | Good climbers, hunters, venomous specie | NO |
| Diamondback Water Snake | Non-venomous, only bite when they are afraid | YES |
Snakes are not evil creatures as they are portrayed in many stories and myths, which we have continuously listened to since childhood. If the snakes are doing their own business without interfering with us, it is not bad to have snakes around us.
Snakes benefit humans in many ways, and very little of their attitude involves some biting or spreading terror. Now the question comes to mind: should we appreciate the presence of all types of snakes? The answer is a big no.
As no one likes that venomous snakes lurking in and around his yard. But honestly, there is a small ratio of venomous snakes, almost 20%. The majority of the snakes that are in our yards carry non-lethal properties.
In the United States, there are four highly undesired snake species; if you ever see them in your yard, call animal control assistance as they are venomous and should be avoided at all costs; these snakes include copperheads, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and mostly rattlesnakes.
Below is the chart of some good or bad snakes per their particular characteristics so you can decide which one is good or bad for you to be around.
Pros Of Having Snakes Around
There are certainly some benefits of keeping snakes in the yard.
Snakes help a lot in dealing effectively with pests, as many rodents roam freely in our house, which causes a lot of trouble for us. If we have snakes around us, they eat rodents in good quantity as they are the preferred diet of snakes. Thus, snakes can contribute a lot to dealing with pests.
Snakes can also enter into small and narrow areas to hunt pests that other predators cannot approach. Moles, mice, and rats are a big problem in our gardens; if snakes are present in the gardens, they can effectively control the movement of rodents in the garden as they are potential predators of rodents.
When snakes kill rodents, they have fewer chances of spreading disease. Usually, ticks are present in mice which results in the spread of the disease. Now snakes do not eat ticks, but they eat their source, that is, mice. Therefore there are few chances left of breading of disease by ticks and mice.
Many pets are active and energetic; such animals may cause trouble when we place them in our house. Snakes, on the other hand, are docile creatures. In addition, they just live happily inside their tanks without any problem.
You can easily provide a house for the snakes, and their eating arrangements can be made easily. In addition, you do not need to carry them for a walk or to a training session.
Snakes do not shed a lot like many cats and dogs. They do not need to be excessively groomed by their owners as well. Thus snakes require a little maintenance.
Cons Of Having Snakes Around
However, there are also some negative aspects if you allow the snakes around you.
When you keep snakes in your yard or near you, they become your responsibility now; you have to feed and take care of them. If you can do it, then it is a good thing. However, most people cannot meet the variety of food demanded by various snakes. Thus, it becomes a problem for them.
Snakes are scary creatures if you own them and allow them near you. Then it will create a bad impression on some of your friends and family as if they dislike and are scared of the presence of snakes.
You need to have some good experience in handling snakes. The people new to keeping the snakes often get bitten by them. Thus, for the newcomer, snake keeping can be a miserable experience.
If you keep snakes around you, your bigger expectation is that snakes will obey your commands. But unfortunately, such things cannot happen; snakes are independent creatures with peculiar psychology that does not match with other pets. Thus, snakes will not obey you.
Conclusion
Wrapping up the discussion, having snakes around you is not a bad idea.
Contrary to the older belief, snakes are not the ones they are famous for. Most snake species are harmless to humans and non-venomous, and they will attack only when they feel threatened. Therefore, such passive and docile snakes can be kept at home.
Moreover, there are also some overwhelming benefits of keeping the snakes around you. For instance, they will contribute to reducing disease and the population of unwanted pests.
Nevertheless, if you are new to keeping snakes, you might have some initial difficulties, but you can overcome them eventually. So in our opinion, it is good to have snakes around us.
