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THE BULLETIN
Bul leti N August 2021 | Volume 3, Issue 08
Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.
News for the Residents of Belterra
The Bulletin - August 2021
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The Bulletin - August 2021
Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc
THE BULLETIN IMPORTANT NUMBERS EMERGENCY NUMBERS
EMERGENCY ...................................................911 Ambulance / Fire..................................................911 SCHOOLS
Dripping Springs ISD......................... 512-858-3000 Dripping Springs Elementary.............. 512-858-3700 Walnut Springs Elementary................. 512-858-3800 Rooster Springs Elementary................. 512-465-6200 Dripping Springs Middle School......... 512-858-3400 Dripping Springs High School............ 512-858-3100 UTILITIES
Water – WCID # 1 & 2...................... 512-246-0498 Trash – Texas Disposal......................... 512-246-0498 Gas – Texas Community Propane........ 512-272-5503 Electricity – Pedernales Electric........... 512-858-5611 OTHER
Oak Hill Post Office ........................... 512-892-2794 Animal Control................................... 512-393-7896 NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
Peel, Inc.............................................. 512-263-9181 Article Submissions...................belterra@peelinc.com Advertising.............................advertising@peelinc.com ............................................................512-263-9181 Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.
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By Cheryl Conley Many people have a fear of snakes. Is it the way they look, the way they move or the fear that the snake is venomous? Snakes are not slimy and are actually cool and dry to the touch. The slithering movements are just the way they get around. Their scales drag against the ground and propel them forward. Yes, some of them are venomous but of the 115 species of snakes in Texas, only 4 are venomous—the cottonmouth, rattlesnakes, copperheads and coral snakes. The most common snake in our area is the Texas rat snake which is a subspecies of the rat snake. They love living in the suburbs where they spend most of their time in oak trees. They are perfectly camouflaged so chances are you will not even notice them. They’re great climbers and can scale a brick wall. Rat snakes are beneficial as one of nature’s best forms of pest control. Rats and mice don’t stand a chance against rat snakes. They also dine on lizards, squirrels, frogs and birds. The Texas rat snake is medium to large and can get up to 6 feet long. Depending on location, their coloration varies. Snakes in eastern Texas are greyer while those in central Texas are yellower. All of them have reddish-orange skin under their scales with white or grey bellies. Their heads are grey. Sometimes the Texas rat snake is misidentified as a rattle snake. As a defense mechanism, they will hiss and shake their tail to imitate a rattlesnake. There is nothing to make the rattling sound, however, so their ruse is quickly discovered. 4
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They are somewhat aggressive snakes and can bite but remember, they are non-venomous. Their bite is very weak and often leaves nothing more than a scratch. Texas rat snakes can lay up to 20 eggs and they hatch in about 2 months. The female leaves the eggs unattended once she lays them. You don’t have to love snakes but we should learn to live in harmony with them. Negative biases towards snakes can lead to harmful actions like killing them unnecessarily. As with most wild animals, snakes are normally very wary of humans and biting is usually a last-ditch effort to protect themselves.
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THE BULLETIN At no time will any source be allowed to use The Bulletin's contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in The Bulletin is exclusively for the private use of the residents Peel, Inc. DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.
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The Bulletin - August 2021
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