Nature's Unsung Hero, the Snake
- fpwc68
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
From "nope rope" to "danger noodle", snakes have earned many a dubious nickname due to irrational fears, but these reptiles actually play a very important role in their ecosystems. Here are just a few reasons that snakes should be applauded rather than feared.
Snakes are mesopredators.
What's a mesopredator, you ask? Mesopredators are animals that act as both predator and prey species in the food chain. Snakes, for example, feed on insects and rodents, but also act as a food source for other animals like foxes and raptors. As mesopredators, snakes maintain the structure of the food web in more ways than one, which also supports the biodiversity of the ecosystems they inhabit.
Snakes act as excellent pest control.
Remember those insects and rodents they eat? These are exactly the types of pests that overpopulate habitats and can lead to habitat degradation and lack of biodiversity. By controlling pest populations, snakes not only help to keep habitats in balance, but also support local plant communities and limit the spread of diseases carried by these pest animals.
Most snakes in Illinois are harmless.
Of the forty species of snakes that inhabit Illinois, just four are venomous: the eastern copperhead, the northern cottonmouth, the timber rattlesnake and the eastern massasauga. None of these four snake species are found in Winnebago County. (That being said, please do not attempt to handle wild snakes! They may not be venomous, but they can still bite!)
What snakes can I expect to see out at my preserves?
There are a number of snakes found in northern Illinois! Fox snakes, milk snakes, garter snakes, and water snakes are just a few species you may happen upon while out enjoying your preserves.
So that's the scoop! Whether you started this blog post as a snake lover or a snake skeptic, we hope you gained at least a little appreciation for this often misunderstood reptile!
