Snakes in popular Mythology
- Mark Robison
- Jun 25, 2021
- 5 min read
Since my goal is to dispel some of the fear and misunderstanding that exists about snakes, I wanted to share with you a really well written article posted recently by Mike Van Valen concerning some of the things that are untrue about snakes, but still widely believed and passed around on social media as truth. How many of these things have you heard and believed?
"Venomous snakes swim on top of the water, and non-venomous snakes swim under the water with their head above the surface."
All snakes can swim both ways by regulating buoyancy with a lung. While venomous pit vipers seem to prefer floating on top, they can just as easily dive and swim underwater. This behavior alone should never be used to identify a snake.
"Baby venomous snakes are more dangerous than adults because they don't know how to control their venom."
Another rampant myth that has been proven false. Please read our article for more information. https://wsed.org/baby-snake-venom-myth/
"Venomous snakes can envenomate from the tip of their tail."
No, they can't. Some baby venomous snakes use their tail as a lure to draw in prey like lizards and frogs, but they still need to use their fangs to deliver venom. Some harmless and venomous snakes have a hard spine at the tip of their tail but this spine doesn't have a venom delivery system like a wasp or hornet.
I"'m going to buy/collect kingsnakes to release into my yard because they will eat all the venomous snakes."
Nature doesn't work that way. Removing snakes from one area and introducing them to another confuses the snake and they attempt to get back to their home range. Many studies have shown that the snakes die trying to get back by coming into contact with more roads and people than they normally would. Releasing captive snakes can introduce disease, and wild snakes can pass along deadly disease such as Snake Fungal Disease. While kingsnakes and several other species do eat other snakes, they are just as likely to leave your yard and never be seen again.
"I'm going to relocate snakes from my yard several miles away, where they will live happily ever after."
Not quite. Many studies have shown that snakes relocated from their home range die trying to return from where they came. This is because they come into contact with more roads, people, and wild predators. Some snakes seem to do fine, but there is more study needed on this subject. Generally, it is recommended that snakes be relocated no more than a 1/4 to 1/2 mile from point of capture. This isn't always an option and each situation is unique, so we simply do the best we can and hope for a good outcome.
"I'm going to spread mothballs/bleach/gasoline, etc. around my property to deter snakes."
Please don't do this. Several studies have shown that no chemical or other substance believed to "deter" snakes does anything to stop snakes from entering a yard. Please see the links at the bottom of this post for an article on coexisting with snakes.
Additionally, using mothballs outdoors (or in any manner inconsistent with the label on the package) is both ILLEGAL and dangerous. Children sometimes mistake the round white spheres with something edible, and the chemicals that kill moths in a closed container or drawer can sicken or kill pets and other wildlife as well as contaminate water sources. Plus - they don't work to deter snakes at all anyway.
"Black snakes" are breeding with rattlesnakes/copperheads to create an extremely venomous hybrid."
This myth originates from the fact that ratsnakes and racers often den together with timber rattlesnakes and copperheads. Venomous vipers and non-venomous snakes are all snakes, yes, but are different enough to not see each other as mates. It would be like a squirrel trying to mate with a raccoon.
"Be careful, snakes attack/chase people!"
False. This boils down to misinterpreting behavior and bias against snakes. In general, snakes are shy reclusive animals which always choose to flee. Only when they are cornered or handled and left with no choice do they strike out in defense. Some snakes are very defensive because of the environment they live in, but under no circumstances do snakes "attack" humans unprovoked. As far as snakes "chasing" people goes, the same applies. Misinterpretation of behavior and an over-active imagination. Some snakes "mock charge" in defense. Some snakes flee in our direction when attempting to get to a hiding spot. You'd think, in this day and age, where everything is recorded, someone would have recorded a snake chasing someone like the stories claim. It just doesn't happen.
"If a snake has a triangular head, it's always venomous. Round head indicates a non-venomous snake."
Absolutely not. Many non-venomous snakes can flatten their heads into a triangular or diamond shape. Many venomous species such as cobras and coral snakes have round heads. Never use one feature to identify snakes, which brings us to the next myth.
"Cat", or "vertical" pupils indicate a venomous snake. Round pupils indicate a non-venomous snake."
Many non-venomous snakes, such as rosy boas, in the U.S. have vertical pupils. Worldwide, there are many more non-venomous species that have vertical pupils. Some of the most venomous snakes in the world have round pupils, such as mambas, cobras, and coral snakes.
"Watch out for snake nests!"
Please read my article addressing this topic - https://medium.com/natural-world/snake-nests-e74db9aac8d8
"If you smell cucumber this means copperheads are nearby."
While it is a widespread belief that copperheads “smell like cucumber”, there is no scientific evidence backing up this claim. Plenty of people who study wild copperheads and work with them daily have never smelled cucumbers associated with these snakes, even in areas where large numbers of them gather for the winter. Some people have described Copperhead musk as having a “melon or cucumber-like” odor, and it is possible that some people interpret the musk odor this way. Regardless of what they may or may not smell like, this doesn’t mean you are in any kind of danger.
"Snakes travel in pairs."
Snakes do pair up for breeding (obviously). Sometimes several snakes can be found sunning together, or sharing space under a rock or log, which is simply snakes sharing the same resource. While snakes occasionally can be seen together, they do not form bonds or travel in pairs like many birds do.
"A bite from a non-venomous snake is still dangerous because it can cause an infection."
People who are fearful or simply hate snakes love to cling to this statement to perpetuate bias and fear. The truth is that infection from native U.S. non-venomous snake bites is extremely uncommon, and no more dangerous than any other cut or puncture wound.
"Don't call non-venomous snakes "harmless". They can bite."
Almost any animal can bite. Rabbits can deliver a bite more damaging and painful than any native U.S. snake, yet I'd bet most people have no problem calling a rabbit "harmless". This is another example of people clinging to an idea to justify hatred and fear. (Large non-native pythons in Florida can cause a painful and damaging bite. Simply leave them alone and you are in no danger).
"Coral snakes are rear-fanged and need to chew in order to deliver venom."
Untrue. Coral snakes have fixed front fangs and can quickly strike and deliver venom without chewing. Some coral snakes have been observed holding onto their prey which may have contributed to this myth.
T"he bite from a copperhead or a pygmy rattlesnake doesn't require medical treatment."
This is a dangerous myth. While bites from these snakes are often considered "non-lethal", there are at least six copperhead fatalities dating back to 1989. The bite from a pygmy is extremely painful and can cause permanent damage if left untreated. All venomous snake bites need prompt medical treatment no matter what you have been lead to believe.
Photo Harmless black racer, courtesy Mike Van Valen
Find Mike on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.vanvalen
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