Martin Nowak
Martin's Snakes
A remarkable post by the Alabama Department of Public Health – remarkable in the nonsense it spews for the public. This post was sent all over Alabama via their subscribers and the Nextdoor social network.
Reference my FC post Sunday 7/14/2024 and the discussion.
The Alabama Department of Public Health post:
Uses the terms “Non-Poisonous” and “Poisonous”. This from the supposedly science and medical based Department of Public Health.
Under “Alabama Snakes” – most “Non-Poisonous” snakes are not listed although it does provide a link further down for all the snakes in Alabama. The link for more information here is to the Alabama Game and Fish Commission (ADCNR) site. This is a good site for the public and uses the terms “Venomous” and “Non-Venomous”.
www.outdooralabama.com
The identification link to Children’s of Alabama Poison Information Center is a good source of information for the public. And – it uses the term “Venomous”.
www.childrensal.org
None of the three official links indicate the rarity of the Eastern coral snake in Alabama. Data indicates six (6) or fewer sightings of this species per year. Better informing the public would be useful so they don’t wantonly kill scarlet, scarlet king, and corn snakes.
alabamaherpsociety.com
Back to the ADPH Snake Day post. It is good the ADPH indicates that “Snakes Can Be Good Neighbors” and notes a few reasons. One reason given is that snakes eat rodents which carry ticks, and the ticks may carry Lyme disease. While this is likely true, Lyme disease is one of the rarest conditions in Alabama. This is stated in another ADPH link:
In 2019 there were 66 reported cases of Lyme disease: among a population >4.9 million.
www.al.com
The ADPH in its recommendations on “Keep Snakes Away” recommends “Use natural repellents like sulfur, vinegar, and garlic and onions.” I have a fairly large garden of garlic and onions and every year find king snakes and copperheads crawling about in the plantings. I am unable to find credible research papers indicating vinegar and Sulphur repel snakes. Readers ? (credible research?)
mynatureguard.com
When I was in undergraduate biology at UA we tested Sulphur and / or naphthalene containing commercial products in the lab. Did not deter any of the several venomous and non-venomous snakes. They simply crawled right over both substances. Every time.
BUT, the Alabama Department of Public Health indicates to use these substances to repel snakes !
The Johns Hopkins Medicine site link on “What to Do if You Get Bitten” is a good site and uses proper terminology. Perhaps the only part I might quibble with is if a person envenomated delays getting to a hospital by washing with soap and finding a cool compress, such delay might cause some additional reactions. During my time driving an ambulance and working in an ER, clearly removing rings, watches, bracelets was very important. Second, marking the progression of swelling with a line and time was most helpful to determine severity of the envenomation.
The National Capital Poison Center link is also a good source of information for the public.
>> Socratic and bcr229 – you can see how well these “public health” divisions of Alabama state government work together. You can see how scientific Alabama Department of Public is in their viral post to citizens. It’s “Snake Day” !
Reference my FC post Sunday 7/14/2024 and the discussion.
The Alabama Department of Public Health post:
Uses the terms “Non-Poisonous” and “Poisonous”. This from the supposedly science and medical based Department of Public Health.
Under “Alabama Snakes” – most “Non-Poisonous” snakes are not listed although it does provide a link further down for all the snakes in Alabama. The link for more information here is to the Alabama Game and Fish Commission (ADCNR) site. This is a good site for the public and uses the terms “Venomous” and “Non-Venomous”.
Snakes | Outdoor Alabama
Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The identification link to Children’s of Alabama Poison Information Center is a good source of information for the public. And – it uses the term “Venomous”.
Venomous Snakes
Initial First Aid for Snake bites No Tourniquet No Ice No Cutting Remove Rings & Constrictive Items Immobilize Extremity Keep Patient Calm & Warm Transport to Emergency Deptartment ASAP Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. The poison specialist can determine if further treatment is needed...
www.childrensal.org
None of the three official links indicate the rarity of the Eastern coral snake in Alabama. Data indicates six (6) or fewer sightings of this species per year. Better informing the public would be useful so they don’t wantonly kill scarlet, scarlet king, and corn snakes.
Eastern Coral Snake – Alabama Herpetological Society
alabamaherpsociety.com
Back to the ADPH Snake Day post. It is good the ADPH indicates that “Snakes Can Be Good Neighbors” and notes a few reasons. One reason given is that snakes eat rodents which carry ticks, and the ticks may carry Lyme disease. While this is likely true, Lyme disease is one of the rarest conditions in Alabama. This is stated in another ADPH link:
Lyme Disease | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)
This page provides information on Lyme disease.
www.alabamapublichealth.gov
Tick-borne illness on the rise in Alabama: What to know as summer arrives
Between 2000 and 2018, the number of tick-borne illnesses exploded in Alabama. Lyme disease remains rare, but spotted fever rickettsiosis has sickened hundreds in Alabama.
www.al.com
The ADPH in its recommendations on “Keep Snakes Away” recommends “Use natural repellents like sulfur, vinegar, and garlic and onions.” I have a fairly large garden of garlic and onions and every year find king snakes and copperheads crawling about in the plantings. I am unable to find credible research papers indicating vinegar and Sulphur repel snakes. Readers ? (credible research?)
Is Vinegar A Snake Repellent?
Discover the surprising truth about vinegar as a snake repellent. Find out how this common household item can keep snakes away from your home.
mynatureguard.com
When I was in undergraduate biology at UA we tested Sulphur and / or naphthalene containing commercial products in the lab. Did not deter any of the several venomous and non-venomous snakes. They simply crawled right over both substances. Every time.
BUT, the Alabama Department of Public Health indicates to use these substances to repel snakes !
The Johns Hopkins Medicine site link on “What to Do if You Get Bitten” is a good site and uses proper terminology. Perhaps the only part I might quibble with is if a person envenomated delays getting to a hospital by washing with soap and finding a cool compress, such delay might cause some additional reactions. During my time driving an ambulance and working in an ER, clearly removing rings, watches, bracelets was very important. Second, marking the progression of swelling with a line and time was most helpful to determine severity of the envenomation.
The National Capital Poison Center link is also a good source of information for the public.
>> Socratic and bcr229 – you can see how well these “public health” divisions of Alabama state government work together. You can see how scientific Alabama Department of Public is in their viral post to citizens. It’s “Snake Day” !
