Throughout history snakes have played integral roles in mythology and folklore. Far too often when a person encountered a snake, the snake did not survive the experience. Snakes have often been characterized as evil or sinister. On the contrary, snakes do not possess such human characteristics. Their mission in life is to eat, grow and survive to reproduce, thereby continuing their species.
Snakes are animals of which people usually have strong opinions.
Often those opinions have been handed down through the generations like heirlooms instead of this being based on personal experience. However, more people are beginning to realize that snakes are an important part of the animal kingdom and play a specific and specialized role in the overall scheme of life. Twenty-one species of snakes are considered to be native to Pennsylvania. Each species has evolved to occupy a specific niche in our natural environment. Although they do indeed provide tangible benefits to man, they are worthy of respect and protection simply because they are wild animals and a part of the natural heritage of Pennsylvania.