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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 09:22:54 PM |
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      THE SNAKE LADY OF WEST VIRGINIA 
They call her "snake lady, snake girl, rattle snake lady, those are all pretty typical," says Jennifer.
But she says her rattle snakes cute and friendly. She started researching rattle snakes because of her curiosity and now her excitement is overwhelming.
"Yeah, I am attached to several of them. A big friendly one passed away last fall and it was kind of hard," said Jennifer. The snake was famous in a sense because everybody at the Division of Natural Resources in Elkins knew about it. It was a regular habit for people to say, "Oh, how's 303," because 303 was his frequency number. Most people cringe at the thought of these scaly creatures, but Jennifer was more afraid of my camera. "That's scary!" she says. Jennifer believe most people are not so much afraid of snakes, but more intrigued.
They are quite passive. If a rattle snake were sitting right here, it probably would not buzz or rattle, it wouldn't strike, it would just lay there and take the cryptic way out. There are two types of vemonous snakes in West Virginia, the timber rattlesnake and the copper head. Most snake bites occur when people try to play with or poke the snakes. If you happen to come upon a snake, any snake, not just a rattle snake. Avoid it. It won't bother you, if you don't bother it.
And because she doesn't upset the snakes habitat, Jennifer is angered by how some people treat snakes amd it bothers her. "It's a rough life to be a rattle snake in West Virginia," says Jennifer. "They sell a lot on the illegal reptile trade. A lot of them sell skins, for wallets and belts." Jennifer, the snake lady, is dedicated to a misunderstood creature, which drives her study to continue. She plans to continue her long term research. "I am looking at tracking these snakes for three to five more years." West Virginia Wildlife Online Extra Number one rule, avoid all snakes! Most snake bites occur when a snake is poked or attempted to be played with. Information about the rattle on Rattlesnakes
The rattle is composed of fibrous protein called keratin -- as are your fingernails -- and segments can easily break off. Because segments are added at various rates, and because they break off, it is not possible to tell a snake's age by counting the segments. In addition to the change in structure from small scales to large rattle segments, rattlesnake tails look stumpy, almost as though their tips had been snipped off. Other snakes have tails that come to smooth tapering points, much like pencil points. Venomous Snakes: safety tips and what to do if bitten West Virginia's three venomous species of snakes are the northern copperhead, the eastern rattlesnake, and the timber rattlesnake. Reports of venomous bites are rare, but usually occur while a person is trying to catch or carelessly handle a snake. All species prefer to avoid confrontation and often move away from an approaching human or remain still and allow the threat to pass by. Rattlesnakes do not always rattle when a person or animal is near. When traveling through areas thought to contain venomous snakes, you can minimize the possibility of an encounter by using common sense. Snakes tend to be found near cover such as fallen logs, brush piles, rock walls, abandoned foundations, or rock ledges. They may be resting or waiting for prey. Watch where you place your hands and feet. Walk around, rather than over, fallen logs. If a person is bitten by a venomous snake, several steps should be taken.
There are several signs and symptoms of envenomation. They include fang marks, pain and possibly a metallic or rubbery taste in the mouth several minutes after a bite, with a tingling or numbness of the tongue. Other signs include significant swelling within 10 minutes of a bite. Nausea, weakness and temperature change may occur. Black and blue discoloration may appear within three to six hours. Links to learn more More information about the West Virginia Timer Rattle Snake: www.marshall.edu/herp/Old/rattlesnake.htm About all snakes found in West Virginia: www.marshall.edu/herp/snakes.htm What to do if you are biten by a venomous snake: www.fda.gov/fdac/features/995_snakes.html www.hsc.wvu.edu/charleston/wvpc/snakes.htm |
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GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA'S WILDLIFE  
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