Article: Snakes in the Garden- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Good for frog control
| Author | Content |
binibusybee
Osgoode, ON
(Zone 5b)
May 30, 2011
7:36 AM Post #8596498
| I have an ever-increasing number of frogs in my smallish pond. They overwinter there and this spring I even found some last-years tadpoles to my surprise! I was watching my pond last summer when i noticed a movement near me at the edge of the pond. A tiny garter snake slid into the water , emerged on the nearest lily leaf and carried on towards the far side of the pond. Now, I like to feed fat garden worms to the frogs as a distraction between digging and weeding - they make a funny sight pouncing on the wrigglers and stuffing them into they mouths with both their tiny hands! So when i saw the tiny snake approaching some big frogs sunning them selves on the lily-pads, I had a quick stab of concern for the snake- thinking it might get mistaken for an over sized earthworm. Silly me! Just like a cat seems to recognize a tiny, rat sized puppy, the frogs departed at the sight of their minuscule foe! But I suspect our cats will be a deterrent for more garter snakes to move in - pity about that!
It nice not have to worry about snakes being dangerous here in southern Ontario. In Africa most snakes were dangerous, spitting cobras seeking the shade of flower beds and lazy, but very fast puff-adders living in all sorts of little corners. Dogs frequently get bitten as they feel obliged to stick their silly noses to close to the snakes!!
But the sight of a couple of young kids, throwing stones at a snake swimming in a small pond in a local Provincial Park without any comment from their parents, does disturb me! |
|
You cannot post until you register and login.
Other Article: Snakes in the Garden- the Good, the Bad and the Ugly Threads you might be interested in:
