Melissa Amarello

Debris piles attract wildlife — if you don’t want these creatures around, clean up your yard.

Snakes, including rattlesnakes, have no interest in attacking us or our pets, because we are too large to eat. Even when stepped on or picked up they are reluctant to bite (but don’t test that at home).

Wildlife, including venomous snakes, can be appreciated and photographed from a safe distance.

Many harmless snakes, such as this one, have bright coloration similar to venomous species. The safest course of action is to leave all snakes alone; the harmless ones preferred not to be bothered too.