Today we introduce a new series, Snake Heroes, where we’ll feature stories of people helping snakes.
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 danger, but a day later, the snake was still stuck, not looking good, and Cindy was worried.
Cindy called us for help, but as we’re on opposite sides of the state, there was little we could do to help directly. We tried to put her in touch with Arizona Fish and Game, thinking an experienced wildlife officer could help her untangle the snake. She showed up at their office only to be told no one could help her.
Cindy didn’t give up on the snake. She found a couple of local snake enthusiasts, Jodi and Eddy Gray, via Facebook who freed the snake from the netting.
Cindy then drove him back home and set him free.
This story had a happy ending, but that is often not the case with animals stuck in netting. While it may seem like a wildlife-friendly way to keep animals from eating your plants, netting can be deadly to wildlife (snakes, lizards, birds, mammals). It can be tricky to free an stressed snake from netting and it is not something we recommend trying with a venomous species.
Just don’t use netting.
Check out The Dangers of Fencing and Netting for more suggestions.
Of course the most wildlife-friendly method is to plant extra, so you have plenty to share with your wild neighbors 🙂