Snakes

People have feared snakes for years. I also feared them. People have been scared of snakes because they think they are slimy, ugly creatures; but really, they are harmless — unless you provoke them. Like any other creature, they will defend themselves. People also fear them because snakes produce venom. People are terrified by the thought of themselves or a friend having two holes poked in them and knowing that they might have poison in them. But, unlike what most people think, a snake will do almost anything to get away — like hide, run away, or sometimes strike out just to scare you.

Most snakes aren’t even poisonous. Instead, they constrict their food (squeezing it until there is no air left in the victim’s body); but only a few snakes can do that to a person.

In church, people get the idea that snakes are to be feared from Genesis, chapter three verses 1 and 2 — and I quote: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made.” But, God made the snake. How could it be the devil trying to trick us?

So now we know why snakes have such a bad rap. I have a snake named Dizzy. She is a corn snake with beautiful colors and she is tricky. She has often snuck out of her cage. She is two feet long and will get to be five to six feet long. It will take her about four years to get to her adult length. But snakes never stop growing. I feed mice to Dizzy.

I have a lot of books about snakes. I know a little, so if you have any questions, ask me or a specialist.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope it has helped to change your mind.

-Erik Hawkinson