Common Mythological Misconceptions about Snakes

I have always found it interesting about how so many people fear snakes and how they have been intertwined throughout history in various symbols with a wide range of interpretations.  Snakes around the world have feared people into elaborate mythical stories of things snakes are capable of doing or abnormal characteristics that may persist within certain species.  I am going to do some myth busting on 4 typical snake myths that have been commonly misunderstood.

1. Charming Snakes- it is common belief that some snakes have the ability to charm or almost seduce their prey to an immobilized state to that they can escape to safety.  Despite this belief there is not substantial evidence to support this notion.  The origin of this myth was thought to be created by the notion that small rodents and birds whose nervous systems panic and freeze when in the presence of a predator. Another plausible explanation includes the fact they snakes many snakes have camouflage (Picture 1) and move so slowly that the prey remains stationary because of sheer unawareness of a threat.     
2. Hognose Snakes Poison Breath- another pretty crazy myth is that the Hog-nose snake (Heterodon platirhinos- Picture 2/3) is capable of propelling a poisonous gaseous breath which is deadly to humans at extreme distances.  This of course is a myth as many snake handles have been around a hognosed snakes breath and assured it is not poisonous.  Hognose snakes hiss and pretend to be scary, but are one of the rarest snakes to be bitten by.  They are more likely to roll over and play dead in the presence of a potential predator.  
3.  Snakes Travel In packs- it is believed that snakes tend to travel in packs to ensure their protection from other animals and seek revenge for a fellow snakes death. This of course is a misconception because snakes hardly travel in groups and almost remain alone.  They have no feelings because their brain lacks the important emotional parts and therefore don't seek revenge. This may have came about due to the fact when snakes breed the males tend to trail the female closely and because other species of snakes live in close proximity to one another may be seen more often close by.  
4.  Forms Snakes Strikeing-  Some individuals believe snakes only have the ability to strike when they are positioned in a coiled manner. This is a myth could be potentially dangerous. In reality, snakes are capable of striking from any position, but a coiled one gives them an advantage in distance and speed of the strike.  Additionally many people think cottonmouths (Picture 4) cannot bite or strike while fully submerged in the water, which is also false.  They reside in wet ecosystems and hunt many aquatic animals which requries the ability to strike in the water.  

Picture 1: Rat Snakes Camouflage

Pictures 2/3- Hognosed snakes ability to roll-over and play dead in fear of a predator.

Picture 4: Cottonmouth snakes ability to bite/strike while in water

Works Cited 

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/herpcons/myths/Modern_Myths.html

Photos Cited 

http://www.kingsnake.com/ratsnake/obsoleta.htm by Troy Hibbitts

http://www.ibwo.org/snakes.php

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/herpcons/myths/Modern_Myths.html by Michael Dorcas