(by Lucy Murayda)
Happy World Snake Day!
Did you know?
Snakes are secondary seed dispersers! These incredible rodent predators do much more than help keep ecosystems balanced; they can also help native wildflowers spread and support healthy habitats for pollinators. Researchers studying certain western desert rattlesnake species found that after these snakes consumed seed-caching rodents, many seeds survived the digestive process, and some even began to germinate in the snakes’ lower intestines before being deposited back into the environment, where they could continue to grow. It’s an amazing reminder that snakes play a much bigger role in healthy ecosystems than many people realize!
For many people, snakes can bring feelings of fear or uncertainty, but learning more about these fascinating reptiles can help us see them in a new way and appreciate the important role they play in nature. At New Hampshire Audubon, we’re passionate about helping people replace fear with understanding. Every conversation, every encounter, and every question is an opportunity to learn about these remarkable reptiles and discover just how vital they are to our natural world.