Just my two cents on this, but being a person who has had a few nasty run ins with snakes and have a very healthy respect for those critters, I can truly say that in my eco system there is not a need or a place for them. If they want to survive in other places where folks don�t mind them being around, then I say go for it. But around my pond and kids and animals I just don�t want them or need them. I have other critters that eat the same things the snakes do and keep the eco system in balance the same way a snake would. If you don�t think that an eco system can be in balance without snakes then I suggest you look at New Zealand. I am one that sticks up for all life forms and my wife yells at me for escorting flys out of the house rather than swatting them, but in my yard and around my pond I will not take chances or be annoyed by snakes. They must go. ( If you want to come over and move them then go for it I say ) I am just grateful that the Bald Eagles, Hawks and Owls in my woods kill the snakes that do come in so that I don�t have to. ( I know you will say that without the snakes I may not have all of the birds, but they have tons of other things to eat like the moles and rabbits and such and the snakes they kill just as a favor to me )
I know that this may not be a popular stance but hey diversity is good as long as it doesn�t include snakes!!!! And there was my two cents worth.
