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Through the years of providing the Snakes Alive program, I have heard
many stories and myths concerning snakes. Some of the most frequently told myths are listed below.
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| Q. Can a snake strike without coiling? |
| A. Yes. Snakes can strike while coiled or when stretched out and even while crawling. |
| Q. Is it true that a mother snake will swallow her young to protect them? |
| A. No. Some snakes like king snakes eat other snakes. Stories like this one are usually based on something the observer has seen but may not have understood. |
| Q. Is it true that poisonous snakes and harmless snakes are inbreeding? |
| A. No. By definition different species are genetically incompatible and are not capable of breeding. |
| Q. Do poisonous snakes have a red tongue and nonpoisonous ones have a dark colored tongue? |
| A. No. There is not a set tongue color for poisonous and harmless snakes. A garter snake has both red and black on its tongue. |
| Q. Can a snake bite under water? |
| A. Snakes can open their mouths and bite under water. Many snakes hunt for fishes, frogs, and salamanders and are able to catch these swimming animals in their mouths. |
| Q. Are snakes slimy? |
| A. No. Snakes are not slimy. Quite the contrary, they feel soft and dry. |
Common Garter Snake
(Thamnophis sirtalis) |  |
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