BY: SUMAYA ABDEL-MOTAGALY
In an effort to help the local community understand the importance of local wildlife, with an emphasis on snakes, Laurel residents Carol Relitz and Monique T. Hoen hosted a discussion July 23 to explore the importance of wildlife in the community of Victoria Falls. The pair is especially interested in snakes native to the Laurel area.
Relitz and Hoen recently co-authored the article, “The Silent Guardians: Why Snakes Matter More Than You Think,” for the community newsletter. They hoped to spark interest in the role snakes play in wildlife management by describing how snakes help maintain balance in their ecosystem and how they help promote native plant growth. They both expressed concern about reports of residents killing snakes, especially baby garter snakes along trails in Victoria Falls.
“People were asking ‘Why are you concerned about the snakes?,’ and it’s because snakes are good for the environment,” Relitz said.
Ronald Ochoa, an entomologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Services’ entomology lab who often hikes the Victoria Falls trail, noted that ratsnakes, which are the most common snake found at Victoria Falls, eat tick-carrying rodents, thus reducing the spread of tick-borne diseases.
“Don’t be afraid, please don’t kill the [snakes],” Ochoa said. “They are the cheapest exterminator you can find. Everything is a balance. Be aware of that.”
Kerry Wixted, a biologist and a vegetation ecologist at the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation also contributed to the discussion. Wixted’s primary interests are amphibians and reptiles, and invasive species management.
Wixted talked about bees, spiders, bats, snakes and possums, noting that these are all species people often fear. She also noted that only two snakes — the northern copperhead and the timber rattlesnake — have medically significant venom. Both species are typically found in central and western Maryland; neither is found near Victoria Falls.
“I always tell people, it’s okay to be afraid. It’s not okay to kill something because you are afraid of them,” Wixted said.
She advised participants to prioritize safety and caution when it comes to dealing with wildlife, including wildlife on your property. Wixted recommends calling the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife & Heritage Services at 410.260.8540 for information or assistance.
Maureen Kenny, who lives in the Victoria Falls neighborhood, came to the presentation because she loves animals and enjoys observing wildlife. She wasn’t aware of the issue of snake killings nearby before the meeting.
“I thought this was an opportunity to learn more,” Kenny said. “We need to enjoy the fact that we have these wonderful animals and insects around us and protect them.”
This story was reposted to correct the spelling of Kerry Wixted.