/i 



United States Department of the InterilrC"RRF 

 Fish and Wildlife Service f . 



j Chicago 54, 111. 



'//ildlife Leaflet 257 



Rev. July 1944 



FACTS ABOUT SNAKES^ 



Prepared in Economic Vvildlife Investigations 

 Division of "iildlife Research 



Contents 



Page 

 Some popul^ jT.isconceptions . . 1 

 Snake myths .... ^ ..... 2 



Cieneral habits of snakes .... 4 



Hibernation , , , . , 4 



Shedding skins. . . . . t • » • ^ 

 Economic value of snakes. ... 5 

 Precautionary measures against 

 snakes. ,..,.,.,.,.7 



Page 

 Suggestions for snake proofing 



a building , .... 7 



Suggestions for eradicating 



undesirable snnkes, ..... 7 



Use of poisonous gases. . ., , , 8 



Other methods of eradication. , 9 



SCS-IE. POPULAR FI5.C0NCEFTI0NS 



Few native animals are more imperfectly known, more persecuted, or 

 more misrepresented than snakes. Contrary to popular belief, most of them 

 are neither obnoxious nor poisonous. Because of false teaching, many per- 

 sons have a great dread of snakes, and there are very few who care to have 

 these reptiles around their homes. Campers are often troubled with snakes 

 that take refuge under bedding, boxes, or clothing, and nervous persons 

 suffer severe shocks from discovering snakes in unexpected places. Con- 

 stant worry, however, from fear that there will be a repetition of such un- 

 pleasant experiences can be avoided by taking necessary precautions. In 

 most cases snakes can be preventea from entering places where they are not 

 wanted. 



1/ Vifildlife Leaflet 233 contains information on the "Poisonous Snakes 

 of the United States," copies of which may be obtained from the. Fish and 

 =y'ildlife Service, Chicago 54, Illinois, 



