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| Tree of Knowledge |
Both of Maryland venomous snakes,
the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead, are seen in Western Maryland
state parks.
Areas in Southern and Northern Maryland
also experience high incidents of copperhead sightings. Despite their
incredible role in the environment, snakes really take the cake on Nature's most
hated list (I am sure spiders and mosquitoes are close seconds). However,
fortunately for the venomous varieties, people tend to leave them alone for fear
of even approaching them. And that's where you come in!
Receiving a call that there is a
snake in a campsite or along a busy trail is a wanted call for most Rocky Gap
State Park rangers! We find it thrilling to see these beautiful creatures and
take advantage of the teachable moments that occur when onlookers observe the
easily moved animals.
Snake moving is not a lost art, it is simply one that needs to be taught to staff members as an everyday task.
In 2006, shortly after moving to Rocky Gap, it became quite necessary for myself
and other rangers to learn this simple technique. I was directed to DNR
Wildlife Biologist Ed Thompson. Ed does a lot of work with both of
Maryland's venomous snake species and agreed to take time out of his
hectic schedule to teach park staff how to safely move them.
The following tutorial and set of
videos is a mixture of what I learned from him and from close to ten years of
moving snakes without incident. I hope you find it helpful and it
builds confidence in your abilities.
Tools of the Trade
Before you set out to be a snake
wrangler, get the equipment you need!
Perhaps most importantly, you're going to need a
hardy trash can. We prefer the sturdy bright yellow one from Grainger:
(Top)(Can)
The lid snaps shut and the bright color stands out. We write in large block letters 'Caution - Live Animal' on the lid and on two sides. Not only is it a fabulous snake chamber, I have had three groundhogs, one cheeky beaver, a crow, and two wily loons in that thing.
You're also going to need at least
one snake hook:
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And one snake "grabber":
We got them both from Tomahawk Live Trap. The snake hook link I have included is 48" (4'). If you want a longer one, go to their website and take a look. What I find is that any longer, the
heavier snakes we pick up cause the hook to bow and make picking up the snake less of a smooth maneuver.
Maneuvers
The hook is a perfect tool to use with snakes in many situations, including fishing them out of tight spots like woodpiles on campsites
or rocky outcrops on trails. If you arm yourself with two hooks, it can give
you a little extra security and dexterity when you are learning the ropes.
Most newer users like to use the grabber as
it provides more confidence and does not allow the offender to move. I
have found over the years, however, that they are completely unnecessary. The hooks are more versatile and gentler to the animal, especially in those tight areas.
When using the hook, scoop the snake
under the first 1/4 of their bodies and lift them straight up. As you do that,
they'll hang there! I know it seems crazy, but it's true - for at least 10
seconds - which is all the time you'll need to maneuver them over the trash can
and down inside. Perform the move quickly but gently, deliberately lowering the
snake into the container without dropping it. A second hook can serve as a
stand in as they sometimes slither through the first hook maneuver (mostly because
snake charmers forget to lift straight up).
The grabber allows you
to grab a snake anywhere. However, you should still stick to the upper ¼ of its body
for safety and control. This is important as you are less likely to hurt it or, if it is a female, the young possibly being gestated (late summer is when they are developing).
Also, grabbing around the upper ¼ doesn't allow the snake strike distance!
Relocation
Moving a snake to the
right location is a crucial part of the process. Importantly, it must be done
very close to where you found it or it could threaten the animal's survival
when they must go to ground. Typically, we will walk the snake out of eyesight of the
worried campers or hikers. Don't use a vehicle to drive them away -- they need to be close to
their hibernaculum. Second, take a look at the park around you. Are you taking it close to another
busy area, a roadway, or another sensitive spot such as a playground, hiking trail,
aviary?
Be mindful that the
idea that "location is everything" doesn't only apply to real estate. We need to give these creatures the best chance of survival!
Release
Once you have
determined the perfect location for the release, make sure the site attributes
are also desirable. Walk around in the general area to look for the best
options. The release should be done downhill of you and there should be a
natural barrier between you and the snake. I prefer large solid fallen logs and
areas free of heavy foliage. Snakes can quickly blend into their surroundings
and, if not given a good escape route, may double back towards you. Look for any
obstructions on the "getaway" route. If you have to step away from the
animal, make sure your path is free of branches and greenbrier.
As Promised - Videos!
Below, I have provided videos
of a timber rattlesnake capture and release. I hope it gives you the confidence to successfully perform this task. It may seem insurmountable but it
is really quite simple and quite necessary. These guys need your help to dispel the
myth that they're aggressive and impossible to handle. Show our visitors that
we care about the survival of these incredible creatures.
(The first video ends a bit abruptly because someone called in while it was being made.)
Sarah Milbourne
Park Manager
Rocky Gap State Park
Park Manager
Rocky Gap State Park
What an awesome snake handler, that woman ranger handled that snake like a champ. Thanks for the info. I just ran acrossed a black snake the other day and it reminded me that I really didn't have the right tools at hand if it was a copperhead. Thanks for the time and videos.
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