I don’t panic at the sight of snakes, but I definitely squirm on the inside. There’s something creepy about them. The coiling, the tongue flicking, the vertical slits they call pupils. … It’s all just ...

Yes, gopher snakes are big – just like the one in the photograph – and it can be startling to see one slithering along as you paddle a canoe or take a refreshing dip on a hot day. Rest assured, ...