Importance of Scary Wildlife: Snakes

Like spiders, snakes are highly misunderstood and have wrongfully suffered from humans’ fear and superstition. Ohio has nearly 30 different species of snakes, most of which are docile and fearful of humans. And although many people would not like to see a snake in their yard, they are highly important to the food web. Snakes are predators and feed primarily on small rodents such as mice and voles. Without snakes, the rodent population would explode, potentially contributing to the spread of disease and damage to crops.

If you see a snake in your yard, the best thing to do it leave it alone and observe it from afar. Keep children and pets that might encounter the snake inside until it moves along.

Learn more about Ohio’s snakes and other reptiles in the Reptiles of Ohio Field Guide http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/…/id%20guides/Pub%205354_Reptil…