Changing how people view and treat snakes
Happy World Snake Day! July 16 is World Snake Day: an opportunity to celebrate snakes and raise awareness about their conservation. While snakes are threatened by many of the same issues that affect all wildlife (habitat loss, climate change, and disease), negative attitudes toward snakes may be the biggest barrier to their conservation because it …
and other wild animals too! Don’t use bird netting Avoid glue traps and poison Shoot snakes with a camera Keep pets indoors or under control Share positive stories about snakes Drive carefully, watch for small animals Respect and appreciate wildlife from a distance Make adoption the first option for your next pet Don’t buy wild-caught …
WARNING: the following video is graphic and violent – it shows what happens at a rattlesnake roundup. Each year, tens of thousands of rattlesnakes are taken from the wild to be displayed and slaughtered for entertainment and profit at rattlesnake roundups. Professional hunters, not bound by ‘bag’ or ‘take’ limits, remove snakes from their native …
Science does not support claims that roundups are required to prevent rattlesnake overpopulation. Each year, tens of thousands of rattlesnakes are taken from the wild to be displayed and slaughtered for entertainment and profit at rattlesnake roundups. Promoted as folksy, family-friendly fun, these events foster disrespect for native wildlife and the natural world, and the …
Wildlife Slaughter Persists at Rattlesnake Roundups Despite Conservation Efforts Read More »
Today we present a guest post from friend and #SnakeHero, Jeff Servoss: I share a rather depressing story about one of the most ecologically unique snake species in North America, the narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus). I’ve spent the last three years of my career conducting secondary research on the status of this species, culminating with …
Today we present the latest in our #SnakeHero series and commend our friend Brandon Thomas La Forest, for rescuing this baby: This newborn baby western diamondback rattlesnake was stuck, frightened, starved, and thirsty… FOR 3 DAYS before the homeowner contacted the Arizona Herpetological Association. With much care and vegetable oil, Brandon was able to free …
July 16 is World Snake Day! While snakes are threatened by many of the same issues that affect all wildlife (habitat loss, climate change, and disease), negative attitudes toward snakes may be the biggest barrier to their conservation because it often impedes efforts to address other threats. So do your part by spreading positive messages …
Although I cite social media as one of ASP’s main methods of education, I often question whether we’re just preaching to the choir. Our followers probably already like snakes, or they wouldn’t follow Snake Advocate, right? Even if that’s true, you never know what could make a difference, even save a life. Following our first …
Today we introduce a new series, Snake Heroes, where we’ll feature stories of people helping snakes. Tell us your #SnakeHero Story A few weeks ago we got a frantic call from one of supporters, Cindy, who had found a mohave rattlesnake stuck in bird netting. Cindy had done what she could without putting herself in …
Once again, the New York Times has published a story portraying rattlesnake roundups (Sweetwater specifically) as folksy, family-friendly fun. The controversy surrounding these events is brushed off as mere predictable “attention from animal rights groups,” and we expect better from a well-respected outlet like the Times. Take Action! Send a Letter to the Editor …