Help! Snake..
Victims of Much Misinformation
Our beautiful township is a habitat of a variety of biodiversity that thrives in it. From birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles, our colony hosts them all. Speaking of reptiles, the one often spotted and most dreaded, also happens to be the most misunderstood – The Snake.
Revered in our mythology (as pets/companions of Lord Shiva (Vasuki) and Vishnu (Sheshnag), they are believed to keep the balance of the Universe), but much feared in real life, the snakes have been victims of much misinformation.
This shy reptile is extremely wary of humans and a bite is typically it’s last-ditch effort to avoid harm. The snakes found in Malibu are usually the non-venomous variety such as Rat snakes, wolf snakes, cat snakes, red sand boa etc. though Cobra sightings have also been reported.
It is important to understand that they play an extremely important role in keeping the rat population in control thereby preventing the outbreak of many diseases caused by rodents. Unfortunately, these helpful creatures are not only losing their habitat to massive construction but their lives too, to fear & phobia associated with them.
It is therefore urged that whenever you spot a snake in your house or garden, please do not kill it. Most likely, it is even more scared than You and is only seeking refuge in a corner till it finds a safe passage. Leave the spot quietly, try and not create any noise or commotion.
Even though they cannot hear, Snakes are extremely sensitive to vibrations of all kinds, whether it’s sound or footsteps. Inform the QRT (9910376414/8094532682) that is equipped with the snake-catching tool and will make all efforts to capture it and release it in the wilderness.
Trivia: Did you know that the fear of snakes is called Ophidiophobia?
by Jyoti Raghavan (4K, Birch Street, 92503 17207)
