By JAN MACEK
Los Alamos 

Snake Week started July 13 and is a week to celebrate snakes! It encompasses World Snake Day on July 16, and encourages snake awareness, coexistence, and snake safety. During Snake Week, dozens of conservation groups, scientists, zoos, museums, herpetological societies, and more will hold special events, in person and online, celebrating the world of snakes.

There are in-person and online events happening all over the world—see snakeweek.org/events to see what is happening near you and to find online events that all are welcome to attend.” 

One of the co-organizers of this group, Melissa Amarello, resides in New Mexico Advocates for Snake Preservation.

Ben Franklin (1706-1790) who was a great statesman, an author, publisher, scientist, inventor, diplomat and a very wise and well-respected gentleman wanted the rattlesnake as our National Symbol.

 “[The rattlesnake’s] eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eyelids. She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.”

The timber or canebrake rattlesnake that Ben Franklin was perhaps championing is now protected in so many Eastern states where in some states it was wiped out long ago. Yes, rattlesnakes can be scary, but few people die from bites. Snakes including rattlesnakes are not aggressive, but they can become defensive when it comes to humans or pets getting too close to their safe space. Educating oneself on snakes will help with the fear so many people have of snakes. Knowledge is key. “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Marie Curie.

As always, if a resident cannot co-exist with a nonvenomous snake or if it is a rattlesnake, please contact the police dispatcher, 505.662.8222 who has a list of those who will relocate.

Please celebrate the beauty, grace and diversity of snakes and respect the amazing abilities of these wonderful creatures who are so underrated for all the good they do. Snakes have been here for millions of years, but their continued existence depends on us humans. Please do not let other’s hatred and misinformation and fear mongering destroy a creature that has just as much right as we do to exist on this Earth.

Thank you. 

A harmless and valuable garter snake mouse hunting in dried oak leaves and pine needles. Photo by Jan Macek