A lot of people believe pretty insane things, like that snakes are out to get them.
One of the most common ones I hear is that snakes “chase” people
This notion of chasing people is… it lacks any sense, really, a snake is a small animal that you could easily step on, its venom is precious, and it swallows its prey whole by necessity, these factors combined means the snake has NOTHING to gain by attacking you, and everything to lose. Even if the snake fills you with venom… that’ll kill you like, tomorrow. The snake will not feel better about being stomped if you go down with it.
Chasing people is a behavior that has literally never been recorded, the closest thing they do is that certain predators, when confronted will leave, so sometimes they will make themselves known and big, like cobras, but if you ran off, they certainly wouldn’t be out to get you, they’d be happy they weren’t killed by the giant you are to them.
Snakes are actually super chill animals once you’ve convinced them that you’re not trying to kill them, and quite frankly, they’re far more trusting than I would be if I was picked up by a giant.
I’m Australian so we’ve always been taught to be wary of snakes; know that they’re more scared of us than we are of them and give them a wide berth if spotted.
Snakes like to sun themselves on paths and people often don’t see them until they’re right on top of the poor thing
Yes, the vast majority of unearned bites are because people accidentally step on them.
…the vast majority of bites however, are earned, because people try to kill them, or capture them, and most bites are on the hands/face by drunken people, statistically.
As long as you don’t accidentally step on them, they’re really harmless animals.
Went ahead and deleted my account, might as well tear off the bandaid
The only reason I’m keeping mine is to spread the word about Lemmy at this point, and if I see snake myths.
Am I going to regret asking for more information about snake myths?
A lot of people believe pretty insane things, like that snakes are out to get them.
One of the most common ones I hear is that snakes “chase” people
This notion of chasing people is… it lacks any sense, really, a snake is a small animal that you could easily step on, its venom is precious, and it swallows its prey whole by necessity, these factors combined means the snake has NOTHING to gain by attacking you, and everything to lose. Even if the snake fills you with venom… that’ll kill you like, tomorrow. The snake will not feel better about being stomped if you go down with it.
Chasing people is a behavior that has literally never been recorded, the closest thing they do is that certain predators, when confronted will leave, so sometimes they will make themselves known and big, like cobras, but if you ran off, they certainly wouldn’t be out to get you, they’d be happy they weren’t killed by the giant you are to them.
Snakes are actually super chill animals once you’ve convinced them that you’re not trying to kill them, and quite frankly, they’re far more trusting than I would be if I was picked up by a giant.
I’m Australian so we’ve always been taught to be wary of snakes; know that they’re more scared of us than we are of them and give them a wide berth if spotted.
Snakes like to sun themselves on paths and people often don’t see them until they’re right on top of the poor thing
Yes, the vast majority of unearned bites are because people accidentally step on them.
…the vast majority of bites however, are earned, because people try to kill them, or capture them, and most bites are on the hands/face by drunken people, statistically.
As long as you don’t accidentally step on them, they’re really harmless animals.
So you’re hanging out on Reddit to ensure people aren’t spreading snake lies?
that’s admirable
I really love snakes and this misinformation leads to people killing them, and my heart just can’t take that.
<3