The snakes in our grass

Like it or not, it’s snake season.

They eat rats, mice and moles. Some good snakes even eat "bad" ones! They help keep lakes and rivers clean. Their venom has been used to treat diseases from high blood pressure to cancer. Whether it's a harmless corn snake or a coiled-up copperhead — rarely are they a welcome sight. But knowledge is power, so we’re taking on local herpetology! And we're doing it together. Bring us your questions on air.

Whenever it’s Your Turn to Talk, call 615-760-2000 between noon and 1pm to join the conversation.

This episode was produced by Mary Mancini.

Guests

• Michael Meister, Natural Resource Manager, Tennessee State Parks
• Dr. Brian Miller. Biology Professor, MTSU
• Lindsey Patel, Snake Education Expert and Tennessee Snake Identification and Education Facebook Group
• Lisa Powers, Founding President of the Tennessee Herpetological Society

Further Reading

• To the Rattlesnake by Vaida Stewart Montgomery - poem read by a caller
• A Guide to Snakes of Middle Tennessee (PDF), Dr. Brian Miller, MTSU
• Tennessee Snake IDentification and Education group (Facebook)
• Think twice before killing snakes this summer as it's illegal in Tennessee (NewsChannel 5)