Tall Tales

4. Black Racers - many people have heard that these non-venomous snakes are able to chase down people. This is not true. This snake, along with many snakes like it look very fast when in the brush and leafs. Now, trying to catch this very fast snake is a talent. Snakes do not chase people normally, you just happen to be going the same way the snake was going. You were both trying to get away.

1. Age of snakes - the only 100% way to tell the age of a snake is if you are there when the snake is born -live birth or hatched from an egg. Many snake people are able to look at the size of the snake to get a good guess but it's just that, a guess. Snakes come in all shapes and sizes and in their own family. Counting the rattles on a rattle snake does not determine the age of a snake. Rattle snakes gain a "button" every time they shed their skin. Cutting a snake in half will only KILL IT not tell you the age. Cutting a tree in half allows you to learn the age of a tree not a snake.

SNAKE TALES: Below you will find the truth to stories and tales we have been told through the years. Many of these tales have been passed down from generation to generation. Read below and find the Truth!

7. Fear of Snakes - people do have a true fear of snakes/reptiles that can present it's self in physical and mental situations. The fear, or Phobia of snakes is known as OPHIDIOPHOBIA or simply known as SNAKEPHOBIA. The fear of reptiles/ creepy crawlers in general is called HEREPTOPHOBIA

3. Biggest/Largest Snake vs. Longest Snake - these two words mean two different things. The Biggest snake is in total weight and diameter (round like someone's belly), that title goes to the Anaconda Snake. The longest snake referring to the length from head to tail would go to the Reticulated Python which can reaches length of 25 - 30 ft. long.

9. Glass Snakes - also known by their true name, the legless lizard. These reptiles are actually lizards and not a snake at all. These legless lizards have the ability, like many lizards, to detach their tail and re-grow a new one.

2. Alligators - Alligators/Crocodiles are one of the oldest and longest living reptiles on the earth. These magnificent creatures are very powerful and many stories over the centuries have been written because of this. Many have been told that if they are being chased by an alligator to run in a zigzag pattern. This is not true. Simple run and run far and fast until you are out of danger. The large heads on these creatures allow for their eyes to be set on the top outer edge of their heads (skull). when running the gator swings it's head back and forth to keep a better eye on the object ahead they are seeking. Running zigzag only makes it easier for that alligator to keep an eye on you.

5.5 Dead Snakes & Dead Snake Bites - You may have heard someone say that a dead snake can still bite and this is Very True. The nerves in a snake have been recorded to still be active up to 9 hours after a snake was killed. The length of time had much to do with the snake type, and situation in which the snake was killed. In Old-School it was a common practice to cut the head off of a venomous snake but to understand that snake's head can still bite and still inject Venom into it's victim. Just because a snake looks dead doesn't mean the nerves are too.

6. Eggs vs. Live Birth - Not all snakes lay eggs and not all snakes give live birth. Water snakes and venomous snakes here in the United States give live birth. Our rat snakes, black racers, ring necks, king snakes and many others do lay eggs.

12. Hypnotize- Some people believe that you can be hypnotized by snakes or able to hypnotize the snake yourself. Many would believe this to be true of the cobra. This is not true. The cobra appears to be "hypnotized" when distracted by another object in front of it. This is how Cobra Entertainers are able to touch/kiss the cobra on the back of their head/hood.

5. Cobra Like Behavior or Playing Dead - yes, such a snake does exist. It is the Hog nose snake which can flatten it's head and lift it up to mimic a cobra, they can also hiss very loudly and when all else fails, they will roll over on their back, stick out their tongue, spray some musk and look and smell dead. The snake is not dead, only playing dead until the threat leaves the area then the snake will go about it's day.

13. Mothballs - many have been told that spreading mothballs around their property will keep snakes at bay. This is partially true. The mothballs actually get rid of select insects/critters/rodents that would normally be around. These animals that the snakes prey on would also move on if their food has done the same. But no, spreading mothballs around your yard will not guarantee the snakes will leave.

14. Man-Eater Snakes - Some have heard that their are snakes so large that they are called "Man-Eaters" this is true but these snakes are either Reticulated Pythons (longest snake) or the Anaconda (biggest snake). They do not normally go after any humans but in rural/remote places on earth people have been killed and some even eaten by these large reptiles. When food sources are low for these reptiles they will result to other food options.

8. Gender - figuring out the gender (male/female) of a snake is not like looking at a dog. Several ways to determine the gender. One- you can do what some snake breeders refer to as "popping". This is when you take newborns or young snakes and press down on both sides of the cloacae (butt scale) to see what "pops" out. NOTE-this can cause serious damage to the snake if not done properly. Two- you can compare the tip of the tail to the cloacae of the snake to another snake the same size. The length between the two points can help to determine. Three- you can do what many do, "probing" this is done with a tool designed for determining the gender of snakes. Again, you can injured the snake if you don't k know what you are doing.

17. Pilot Snakes - What is a "pilot snake"? These are a variety of snakes that are black or dark in color. The term, "pilot snake" is more of a North, North-Eastern Region of the USA. Older generation people use the phrase when speaking about anything from a common black racer to water moccasins. Also, they've been referred to as venomous snakes and non-venomous snakes as well. Pilot Snakes are also reported to be from 1ft. to 10ft. long....

16. Mouth Birth - Okay this one is just really funny but some people have been told that there are snakes that give birth through their mouth. This is not true. What may have happened is mixed up the snake with the amphibians. Their are some frogs that after giving birth do transport, carry, their young in their mouth. But again, snakes do not give birth in or through their mouth.

10. Hearing/Ears? - Snakes do not have ears like animals do. They do however have internal ears that pick up vibrations and touch. Screaming at a snake will only draw attention to you, not the snake. The snake doesn't hear your scream. They react because you are freaking out around them. You are a giant with limbs (arms and legs) and scare the heck out of them. A snake's tongue is very important to the snake for sending information to the brain.

11. Hills - Another weird tale is that snakes have to bite their tail to be able to get down a hill. Meaning they have to roll down hills. This is not true. Snakes slither on the ground moving their bodies from side to side in small motion to push them forward. Think of a snakes belly as a whole bunch of small fingers.

19. Rattles on a Rattle-Snake - Many people were told growing up that counting the rattles (buttons) on a rattle snake would tell you the age of the snake. This is not true. Those "buttons" are grown every time the snake sheds. A Rattle Snake can shed many times a year and more frequently when it's younger. These buttons also break off often when they reach over 8 buttons or more. Only way to be 100% sure is to be there when the snake is born.

15. Milk Snakes - Some people believe that Milk Snakes got their names from drinking milk out of the cows! Yep, I didn't stutter. No, snakes do not drink the milk out of cows. I will tell you that it's hard to keep a straight face when an older person tells you this in all seriousness.

18. Pregnant Woman/New Born Babies - Another "Tall Tale" is that black snakes will chase pregnant woman, this is not true. The only reason a snake would be going after a pregnant woman is that they were both going the same way. The young man that told me this tale believed it 100%. Well, I told him the reason for the snake had nothing to do with his mother being pregnant. Also, snakes are not going after new born babies. The reason for this tale maybe that new born babies look like an injured animal when put on the ground vs. a grown human freaking out over the snake. Just a thought there.

20. Snake Suicide "Snakeicide" - Some of us were told when we were young that if a venomous snake were to bite it's self the snake would die. Well, this is true. A coral snake that bites it's own tail can and do die. Most of the time the snakes doesn't release the bite. Other venomous snakes (pit vipers) will too, die if they bite themselves. Wow, what a thought. What if your dog had that ability? He'd only chase his tail once!

22. Training a Snake? - Yes, it is possible to train a snake just as it is very possible to train alligators and other wildlife and such. Many venomous keepers train their venomous snakes to go into their "hide box" when the cage is to be cleaned or the snake is to be transported. Usually the training consist of a repetitive tapping sound (vibration) on the cage. A snake can be trained within 2 months if not sooner. Simple conditioning!

23. Triangular Heads - Well, this is still a widely believed tale about snakes with triangular heads are dangerous-venomous. This is not fully true. Yes, some venomous snakes do have what appears to be a triangular shaped head but we also have non-venomous snakes that have that same characteristic. Many water snakes have the ability to flatten their head to mimic the characteristics of a water moccasin. Rat snakes can also have what appears to be a triangular shaped head. The venomous snakes with the triangular heads normally get that from the venom sacks located on the sides.

17.1 Pools & snakes - if you own a home, in Florida, with an in-ground pool and maybe a screened porch, why do you see more snakes then others in your neighborhood? Well, that is simple.... your pool is a perfect climate controlled and Florida is limestone and sand. Reptiles love the fact they can escape the heat under your pool slab and gain the warmth during the cooler month from the heated water before it cools.

21. Swimming - All Snakes can swim. Some, water snakes, are very good at it and spend more time in the water but all snakes can swim and also bite while in and under water too.

24. Venomous Snakes being eaten - yes, their are snakes out there that eat other snakes and venomous snakes as well. The Cobra, King, Coral and Indigo Snakes eat other snakes. Many people mis identify the long flat-black, black racer for the larger shinny, glossy-black indigo snake which does eat other snakes along with rats, mice, rodents and frogs, toads as well. The Eastern Indigo Snake is Federally Protected by Federal Law.

25. Poison Sacks on Snakes: Some people have been told that snakes, before they drink water, "release" their poison into a sack then after drinking they retrieve the sack. If they don't find their sack them kill themselves. Well, this is not true at all and snakes are Venomous not poisonous. Snakes can however control the venom they inject as they are older but the venom sacks can not be removed (unless surgery). Snakes drink water and eat their food fine without any problems from their venom-sacks.