Ibis Snakes

By Matthew Rogers

Scared of snakes? Interested in them? Ibis Snakes is a great educational book on our often misunderstood and usually feared snakes. This book does not aim to make you love snakes or become a fan of them, but rather for the reader to respect and learn the importance of their necessary role in our fragile ecosystem. Featured in this book I dispelled myths and include interesting facts, photos, and individual snake behaviors. Also included, are my personal experiences in dealing with these fascinating reptiles. I will explain what you might expect if you encounter one of our native snakes. Once you are done with this informative book, I believe you will have a different outlook on our slithering friends and realize what a great benefit they are to our beautiful area.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew Rogers
• Release date: Oct 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301907861

Book preview

South Florida Snakes

Matthew Rogers

Published by Matthew Rogers at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 by Matthew Rogers

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN 9781301907861

CONTENTS

Foreword

South Florida Snakes Introduction

Non Venomous Snakes

Venomous Snakes

Glossary

About the Author

FOREWORD

Ophidiophobia is defined as: The abnormal fear of snakes. Nothing elicits fear like the sight of a snake. Even a mere photo of a snake can cause panic and make the adrenal glands kick in. From biblical times of the evil serpent to the legendary 40 feet Anacondas to the mythical 2 Step Vipers of Asia, snakes have been portrayed as evil, mean, blood thirsty creatures. With Hollywood and tall tales enhancing the negative image of snakes, the fact is they are actually quite benign and do their best to stay away from us. Without snakes, our world would be a whole lot different.

Early in the 20th century, a region of India was having a problem with fatalities caused by venomous snake bites from venomous snakes. After approximately 1000 bites a year, the government basically put a bounty on all snakes, regardless if was harmless or venomous. After about 20 years of these indiscriminate killings, which pretty much wiped out all snakes in the area, that region had a major problem with overpopulation/infestation of rodents. Due to the amount of mice and rats and the diseases they carry, the rodents caused approximately 50,000 to 100,000 deaths a year until the population of snakes grew and balanced the ecosystem out. Even though they may be hated, snakes are very much needed.

The serpent is unlike any other animal. Snakes are actually quite a success story. They have been around for over 100 million years, yet they have survived it without any appendages, one functional lung, no hearing, and typically bad eye sight. With all that they are lacking, they have managed to exploit every type of environment on earth with the exception of the Polar Regions.

Snake are very symbolic all over the world. To the casual observer, one may not see it, but the symbolic snake can be seen in everyday life. One example is the Rod of Asclepius which is often seen as the symbol for medical treatment. The significance of the serpent has been interpreted in many ways; the shedding of skin and renewal is emphasized as symbolizing rejuvenation, while other assessments center on the snake as a symbol that unites and expresses the dual nature of the work of the physician who deals with life and death, sickness and health.

Cobras are revered in India and Southeast Asia. The Hindus consider them manifestations of Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration. The Buddhists believe a massive cobra spread its hood over Buddha to protect him from the sun while he meditated. Cobra images guard the entrances of many Buddhist and Hindu temples. King Cobras have also been worshipped as sun deities and are associated with rain, thunder, and fertility. On the annual lunar holiday of Nag Panchami, Hindus refrain from plowing and field work out of respect for cobras.

The Mexican flag features a Caracara, a predatory falcon native to Central America holding a serpent in its talons and is perched on top of a prickly pear cactus; the cactus is situated on a rock that rises above a lake. This