[Bon of Babble]

Snakes are fine and necessary. Usually it is just the stupid people. Snake don't hunt humans but do hunt all the nasty small mammals humans hate. Eliminating snakes just makes the world safer for the nasties we don't like and ruin tons of human food.

LOL, my dad gave us kids the exact same lecture when we were growing up. We were surrounded by king, gopher, garter and rattlesnakes --lots of them. Dad wouldn't kill a rattler unless it was close to the house and woe be to anyone who killed a king or gopher snake because dad was AT WAR with gophers and other critters who tore up his garden.

We had a healthy respect for snakes -- and fear of rattlers.

[JSteff]

Good for your Dad, he has a great mindset.