Scared of snakes? Not sure if it’s safe to walk past the animals parked by the Red Cedar? Losing sleep over the strange noise coming through your window?
Relax. Help is now within the reach of a keyboard.
The MSU Museum, the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Department of Zoology have collaborated to produce a Web site that will ease the fears of students and residents who have run-ins with Michigan wildlife.
MSU’s own “Critterguy,” Jim Harding, has contributed his knowledge of animals to the Web site, where he can help educate people about the dangers - or as he says, lack of danger - that most animals present.
“People fear a lot of things that don’t need to be feared,” said the MSU Museum specialist.
The only venomous snake in Michigan is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, which ranges from 2 to 3 feet long, said Harding.
Harding said he thinks some of the snakes exist in parts of southern Ingham County. He said all other Michigan snakes are harmless to humans - just one of the facts posted on the Web site.
Harding said the best way to prevent an encounter with any creature is to make the area less attractive to it, which means not building in an area where wildlife have already made their homes. He recommends people who are extremely phobic of snakes remove low-growing shrubs and keep grass short.
“If you build it, they will come,” he said.
Harding also said people who fear they will catch something from snakes should realize an embarrassing fact - reptiles are often cleaner than mammals and can carry fewer diseases.
To design the site, Harding worked closely with MSU staff and faculty, including Sunny Wang, the computer coordinator for the MSU Museum. Wang said the Web site took about four months to get up and running.
While “Critterguy” may sound like a name made up to promote the site, it is indeed an original.
Judy Smyth, MSU Museum’s coordinator of visitor programs, ordained Harding with the name.
“It’s very appropriate,” she said. “Nobody knows critters better than Jim. He’s a lot of fun and knowledgeable about our animal friends.”
The Web site can be accessed at critterguy.museum.msu.edu.
