Myths and folklore are important influences in the development of beliefs and attitudes toward snakes (Menez 2003, Klauber 1982, Minton and Minton 1969). Snakes have figured in human mythology for millennia (Morris and Morris 1965, Nissenson and Jonas 1995), primarily as an embodiment of evil (Burton 1993, Weidensaul 1991). Many myths and misconceptions about snakes are passed down from generation to generation (Brown and McDonald 2000), and because most people never or seldom have a direct experience with a snake, many misconceptions continue to be believed. One myth claims that if you encounter a snake, it will attack you. In fact, the opposite appears to be more likely the reality. A recent survey of Australian residents found that a significant portion (38%) of people attacked snakes that they encountered. In subsequent fieldwork walking along transects, researchers found that less than one in two hundred (0.38%) encountered snakes attacked. People were one hundred times more likely to attack than were the snakes (Whitaker and Shine 2000). Other myths are disseminated through popular literature; for example, in Kipling’s (1894) The Jungle Book, readers are informed that snakes are fond of milk, and this idea has persisted despite its inaccuracy.
References
Brown, F. and J. McDonald. 2000. The serpent handlers: three families and their faith. Winston-Salem: John F. Blair, Publisher.
Burton, T. 1993. Serpent-handling believers. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press.
Kipling, R. 1894. The Jungle book. Garden City: Doubleday.
Klauber, L. M. 1982. Rattlesnakes: their habits, life histories, and influence on mankind. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Menez, A. 2003. The subtle beast: snakes, from myth to medicine. London: Taylor & Francis.
Minton, S. A. Jr., and M. R. Minton. 1969. Venomous reptiles. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons.
Morris, D. and R. Morris. 1965. Men and snakes. London: Hutchinson & Co. Ltd.
Nissenson, M. and S. Jonas. 1995. Snake charm. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Weidensaul, S. 1991. Snakes of the world. Secaucus: Chartwell Books, Inc.
Whitaker, P. B. and R. Shine. 2000. Sources of mortality of large elapid snakes in an agricultural landscape. Journal of Herpetology 34:121-128.