Snakes in the Windy City: A Slithery Surprise
Chicago – the city of dreams, deep dish pizza, and... snakes? Yep, you heard right. While we're more accustomed to seeing hot dogs and skyscrapers, our fair city is actually home to a surprising variety of slithery critters. So, grab your snake-charming charm (or just your phone to call animal control) and let's dive into the wonderful world of Chicago's serpentine residents.
The Cast of Characters
Garter Snakes: The Everyday Superstar
Let's start with the most common snake in town: the garter snake. These guys are the equivalent of pigeons in the snake world - everywhere, always hungry, and generally harmless. They come in a variety of colors, but they're all basically just long, skinny, and surprisingly quick. If you've got a garden, chances are you've got a garter snake tenant.
Northern Water Snakes: The Aquatic Diva
Next up, we have the Northern Water Snake. As the name suggests, these snakes love water. Lakes, rivers, ponds – you name it, they're probably chilling there. They're a bit bigger than garter snakes and can look intimidating, but don't panic. They're more interested in fish than in you.
Midland Rat Snake: The Urban Explorer
Finally, we have the Midland Rat Snake. These guys are the explorers of the snake world. You can find them just about anywhere – parks, backyards, even sometimes in your attic (oops). They're big, strong, and excellent climbers. But don't worry, they're more likely to eat your mice than your cat.
Important Note: No Rattlesnakes!
Before you start freaking out, let's clear something up: there are no rattlesnakes in Chicago. So, if you think you've seen one, you're probably mistaken. It's probably just a big, harmless rat snake.
What to Do If You See a Snake
- Don't Panic: Most snakes are harmless and more afraid of you than you are of them.
- Give it Space: Let the snake go about its business.
- Call Animal Control: If the snake is posing a threat or you're really freaked out, give animal control a call.
How to...
- How to tell if a snake is venomous? Unfortunately, there's no easy way to tell if a snake is venomous just by looking at it. The best thing to do is to leave it alone and call for help if needed.
- How to prevent snakes from coming into your home? Seal up any cracks or holes in your foundation, keep your yard tidy, and remove potential hiding spots.
- How to coexist peacefully with snakes? Appreciate the role they play in the ecosystem and simply enjoy watching them from a safe distance.
- How to catch a snake? Unless you're a trained professional, don't try to catch a snake. Let the experts handle it.
- How to overcome your fear of snakes? Exposure therapy, education, and understanding can help you overcome your fear.