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For Weekend Wildlife this week, visitors will have a chance to meet several reptilian residents of our Jesse Jones Nature Center who are considered friends of humans – “Constrictors.” On hand will be Lucky the Python (Python molurus bivittatus), Kitty Cat the Red Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus), Pooper the Sonoran Gophersnake (Pituophis catesnifer affinis) and a surprise mystery guest.
Constrictors kill their prey by suffocating them in body coils or by pressing the prey against the walls of underground burrow. Their prey may include a variety of small mammals including mice, rats, gophers, squirrels, rabbits, etc. They will also eat birds and their eggs. Occasionally, they will also eat lizards or other snakes.
Many people have constrictors for pets. They are not venomous and relatively docile. But remember, every snake is an individual situation and they all have their own individual personalities.
Constrictors can and will bite. Just because one didn’t bite you today doesn’t mean they won’t do it tomorrow.
And, there are also other situations to consider. They may wrap around you and squeeze their muscles as hard as they can. That might not be a big deal if you are holding a cornsnake or gophersnake but it could be a life-threatening situation if you are handling a very large python or boa and it wraps around your neck.
When strength doesn’t do the job, they may utilize another weapon. They might poop on you. Yes, you heard me. How do you think Pooper the Sonoran Gophersnake got its name? And let me tell you, not many things smell as bad as hot liquid snake poop!
Still, constrictors are one of our important natural allies. They eat a variety of pests – including but not limited to – rats, mice and (depending on the species) even venomous snakes.
To learn more about these fascinating creatures, come to Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center on Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. Lucky, Pooper and Kitty Cat will be looking forward to meeting you!