Joshua Tyler | publishing
As an animal lover, I strongly advocate for the protection and protection of endangered species. Of course, when it comes to snakes. They are here.
This week, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to join the South’s hognose snake (Heterodon Simus) to the list of endangered species. These snakes still exist on the plains of Florida, Georgia and Carolina. They used to be rich in places like Mississippi and Alabama, but disappeared since then.
The southern hognose snake is not venomous, but it is a jerk. The species is known for dramatic defensive behaviors, including hissing, covering the neck like a cobra, and even playing death when threatening. It is easily recognised by its upflow nose, used for digging, and rarely exceeds 24 inches in length.
If the snakes in the south completely disappear tomorrow, it will not have a significant impact on the local ecology they participate in. It mainly eats frogs and is itself a food for other predators. Those other predators would eat the excess frogs instead of hognose, eliminating the middleman. No problem here.
This seems to be a clear victory for humanity. Next time, though, let’s aim at a more venomous enemy Snake Soldier. They need classes.
