Page 8 - Abacoa Community News - January '23

Page 8, Abacoa
Northern Notes

Living With Snakes If you are bitten “leave it be” attitude for all snakes. This attitude can also help
by a venomous to prevent the needless killing of harmless snake species. If you
By Katie Roundtree, snake, call 9-1-1 are not 100 percent sure of the identity of a snake, “leave it be.”
Director of Finance and immediately. Miami- Information obtained from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife
Administration, Northern Dade Fire Rescue Conservation Commission at: http://myfwc.com/conservation/
Palm Beach County maintains the largest you-conserve/wildlife/snakes/.
Improvement District and only antivenom NPDES tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet waste is
Living in Florida, you bank for public use in washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, using up oxygen
have no doubt seen snakes in the United States and and sometimes releasing ammonia. Low oxygen levels and
your travels. A fear of snakes, provides antivenom to hospitals in the tri-county area, but ammonia combined with warm temperatures can kill fish. Pet
or ophidiophobia, is common also deploys antivenom via emergent shipping to out-of- waste also contains nutrients that encourage weed and algae
in many people. Interactions area hospitals. If you have a snake, Africanized honeybee growth. Overly fertile water becomes cloudy and green –
between people and venomous or large or small animal emergency or nuisance, 9-1-1 will unattractive for boating and fishing. Perhaps most importantly,
snakes in residential areas are dispatch the Venom Response Team. pet waste carries diseases which make water unsafe.
much less common than those involving nonvenomous species. Attempting to harass, handle, or kill snakes significantly www.stormwaterandme.org. https://floridadep.gov/water/
The risk of snakebite (venomous or nonvenomous) is minimal. increases your chances of being bitten. It is best to adopt a stormwater
Snakes defend themselves primarily by fleeing but may bite
if captured or harmed. However, biting is not a sign that they
are dangerous; it is the only way most snakes have to defend I Spy Dyslexia
themselves.
Depending on your point of view, Florida is blessed or cursed
with a rich diversity of snakes. Forty-four species of snakes are By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., • terrible spelling
found in every conceivable habitat, from coastal mangroves School Psychologist • often can’t remember sight words
and saltmarshes to freshwater wetlands and dry uplands. Many Intrigue, mystery, • trouble with math: memorizing multiplication tables
species thrive in residential areas. unknowns. It’s no wonder • extremely messy bedroom, backpack, or desk
Most snakes you encounter are likely to be nonvenomous. that kids love spy games, Middle and high school age clues can encompass the
By recognizing snakes and understanding their habits, you can television shows, and above as well as:
take a more relaxed attitude toward them and appreciate them the popular graphic • dreads going to school
as an integral part of Florida’s wildlife. Northern is thrilled that novel series Spy School. • limited vocabulary
greenways and preserves within our area can support a broad Unfortunately for parents, • poor written expression
diversity of wildlife, including snakes. characteristics of intrigue, • problems mastering a foreign language
Only six of Florida’s 44 snake species are venomous, the mystery, and unknowns • does not like to read for pleasure
eastern coral snake, the southern copperhead, the cottonmouth, are concerning when you • would rather listen to an audio book than read one
the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake, and worry your child might have dyslexia. However, astute If you observed three or more dyslexia clues in your
the dusky pygmy rattlesnake. Out of the six, just four of them live and intuitive parents like you can spy the symptoms of child, seek school neuropsychological testing. Along with
south of Gainesville. Most Florida snakes are harmless and play dyslexia. You just need to know what clues to look for. being informative, it can give you peace of mind and
a key role by keeping rodent populations under control. Even the Spying clues early and confirming a diagnosis can direction. As one mom put it, “It hurt to see him struggle.
venomous species are not particularly dangerous unless stepped position you to solve the dyslexia case. Look for these We just need to know so we can move forward.” She had
on or otherwise provoked. clues. Elementary age clues: to convince her husband to agree to testing because he
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are solitary animals that • trouble memorizing his address, phone number, or thought the boy was being lazy or needed more time. Our
are effective ambush predators. Since these snakes are cold- the alphabet testing is not simply meant to put a label on a child but
blooded, they bask in the sun to regulate their body temperatures. • can’t create words that rhyme to help direct you to solve the mystery of why your child
This species uses gopher tortoise burrows, armadillo holes, • messy handwriting, letters that are formed differently is struggling and give support.
stump holes and root channels to avoid inclement weather. and don’t sit on the line Call to discuss your child as we test children ages 5.5
These shelters keep them warm when air temperatures become • letter or number reversals continuing past first grade through college for dyslexia, learning disabilities, ADHD,
too cold for surface activity. While foraging, rattlesnakes use • slow, choppy, inaccurate reading and mispronouncing depression, anxiety, and other processing disorders. Visit
vegetation for cover, relying on camouflage to conceal them. small words JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.
They are ambush predators, meaning they sit and wait in a coiled
position for prey to cross their path. They use their thermal pits
to help them locate warm-blooded prey. These snakes mostly Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD,
eat mammals such as mice, rabbits, rats, and squirrels and
occasionally eat ground-dwelling birds.
When camouflage fails, and they feel threatened, the snake Gifted Testing
will begin to puff itself up to look larger and more intimidating.
Eventually, it may rattle its tail to scare off the threat. Rattlesnakes,
like many animals, would prefer to leave a dangerous situation NOW OFFERING: Dr. Jim Forgan & Associates
silently. When given the opportunity, rattlesnakes will flee from • Jupiter & Stuart Offices
human encounters. If you see a rattlesnake in the wild, it is best Licensed School Psychologist
to give it space or let it slither away. • Testing for Processing www.JimForgan.com
What should you do when you come upon a snake? Just Problems, Anxiety,
stand back and observe it. Snakes don’t purposefully position Defiance (561) 625-4125
themselves to frighten people. They’d much rather avoid • Weekend and After
encounters and will usually flee. School Appointments
There is no good reason to kill a snake except in the unlikely
situation of a venomous snake posing immediate danger to
people or pets. Snakes usually bite people only if assaulted; it’s “Helping Parents Help Children”
their only means of self-defense. Even a venomous snake in
the woods or crossing the road poses no threat and should be
left alone. Also, large snakes travel in large areas, so one you
temperature is cooler or cold the snakes are very slow to move Experience Dentistry with a Woman’s Touch
see in your yard today may be far away tomorrow. When the
and mostly harmless.
The frequent sighting of snakes near dwellings or
outbuildings may indicate the presence of rodents. Removing Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
brush, lumber, or other debris accumulations will discourage
rodents and snakes. Homeowners should also police rodent food State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
sources like chronically spilled bird seed under feeders or pet
food scraps regularly. Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available

Joanne Green, D.D.S.

10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 622-2815 • www.joannegreendds.com

Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry - Cum Laude
Hospital of the University of Penn - General Practice Residency Training
Harvard Dental School - Former Instructor
Monday, January 16 Boston Brigham and Women’s Dental Group - Staff Dentist