A LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS Chelsea Franco Florida

A LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS Chelsea Franco Florida International University Abstract: This project aims to encourage people not to fear venomous snakes by providing information about the venomous snakes of Florida and Arizona, including myths surrounding snake species and their behaviors, comparing native Florida species to their Arizona counterparts, and the roles snakes have played in mythology and literature. Introduction: Ophidiophobia, the irrational fear or loathing of snakes, is a problem for both humans and snakes because it often results in these animals being targeted for attacks by humans, who often wind up getting bitten in the snake’s self-defense. In fact, of the relatively few deaths associated with snakebite annually, most come from people trying to kill the snake that ended up biting them. Because snakes have a cornucopia of useful qualities that benefit humans, such as pest control and various medications, it is best for both people and snakes if ophidiophobia is stopped. "[T]he simple fact is, you're more likely to die by being brained by a falling coconut than you are to be killed by a wild animal. “ —Venomous Animals of the World by Steve Backshall “The Gospel Truth” “I Wanna Be Like You” One of the reasons snakes have a bad reputation is the many myths and misconceptions about them: Although snakes are often thought to be related to worms, they are more closely related to us: • Myth: Snakes only bite men. • Truth: Snakes are more likely to bite men because men are more likely to manhandle snakes in an effort to either kill them or show off. However, there have been women bitten by snakes. • Snake scales are made of keratin, the same substance as human hair and nails. • Myth: Snakes are useless to humans. • Truth: Snakes consume immense amounts of animals which are harmful to either humans or their food sources, including disease-carrying rodents. • Snakes, like humans, are vertebrates, possessing a spine and many of the anatomical features that accompany it. • Myth: Snakes are very dangerous to humans. • Truth: You are nine times more likely to get struck and killed by lightning than from snakebite. Average Deaths in the US Per Year 60 54 • Several species of snake protect their young for some time after birth. “One Jump Ahead” Florida and Arizona have vastly different climates and ecosystems, and therefore vastly different fauna. While Arizona has the highest number of venomous snakes, Florida’s are more dangerous: Arizona Florida Most species of rattlesnake in any state (11) 53 40 Second-most dangerous snake native to the USA (Western Diamondback, Crotalus One species atrox) of coral snake 30 Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) 50 Number of Deaths • Humans, like snakes, shed their skin, though not all at once (as a snake does). 21 20 No Agkistrodon species 7 10 Relatively low number of snakebites per year Want more? Go to http: //venomouscrap. blogspot. com/2011/10/zero-to-hero. html Two Agkistrodon species (Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) and Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti)) Eastern Coral Snake, Micrurus fulvius te Sn ak e Bi Bi te Sp id er ite /B Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius) Do ee / Some Christians in Appalachia ritualize the handling of venomous snakes, believing that their faith will prevent a bite. rn Ho In the Harry Potter book series, Parseltongue is the language of snakes, spoken by Lord Voldemort—the books’ antagonist—and Harry Potter, among others. Most dangerous snake native to the USA (Eastern Diamondback, Crotalus adamanteus) et /B g. A tta p W as ni ng ht Lig ck St St ri in g ke 0 Want more? Go to http: //venomouscrap. blogspot. com/2011/10/snake-myths. html The caduceus—the symbol of modern medicine, comprised of two snakes wrapped around a staff—comes from Asclepius of Ancient Greek mythology, who watched one snake use herbs to bring another back to life. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus Two species of rattlesnake (Eastern Diamondback (Crotalus adamanteus) and Dusky Pigmy (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)) 6 Source: http: //ufwildlife. ifas. ufl. edu/venomous_snake_faqs. shtml “Zero to Hero” World mythology and literature have often included the snake in a key role, whether as a god or a devil. The more negative mythologies, particularly of the Judeo-Christian Faiths, contribute strongly to ophidiophobia: Photo courtesy of Young Cage Photo courtesy of Christopher Gillette Works Cited Backshall, Steve. Venomous Animals of the World. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007. Campbell, Jonathan A. and William W. Lamar. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2004. Volumes I and II. Carmichael, Pete and Winston Williams. Florida's Fabulous Reptiles and Amphibians. Tampa, FL: World Publications, 2001. Franco, Chelsea. “The Gospel Truth”. Venomous Crap and Where to Find it. 5 October 2011. Web. <http: //venomouscrap. blogspot. com/2011/10/snakes-myths. html>. 5 October 2011. ---. “Zero to Hero”. Venomous Crap and Where to Find it. 6 October 2011. Web. <http: //venomouscrap. blogspot. com/2011/10/snakes-myths. html>. 6 October 2011. “Frequently Asked Questions About Venomous Snakes. ” UF Wildlife – Johnson Lab Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. University of Florida. 2 December 2010. Web. <http: //ufwildlife. ifas. ufl. edu/venomous_snake_faqs. shtml>. 1 February 2011. Harry Potter Wiki. Web. 13 August 2011. <http: //harrypotter. wikia. com/wiki/Main_Page>. Mattison, Chris. Rattler! A Natural History of Rattlesnakes. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co. , Inc. , 1996. Ménez, André. The Subtle Beast: Snakes, from Myth to Medicine. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Inc, 2003. Poisonous Snakes of the World: A Manual for Use by U. S. Amphibious Forces. Washington, D. C. : United States Government Printing Office, 1968. O’Shea, Mark. Venomous Snakes of the World. Princeton, NJ: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd, 2005. “Snakes of Massachusetts”. Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation. University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2008. Web. 13 August 2011. <http: //www. umass. edu/nrec/snake_pit/pages/myth. html>.