This bullsnake is enjoying a freshly updated enclosure at the Swiss Valley Nature Center complete with new bedding and space to explore. Bullsnakes are large, nonvenomous snakes found in Iowa’s grasslands and farmlands. They are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because of their defensive behavior often hissing, flattening their head, and vibrating their tail. They are harmless to people and incredibly important to our ecosystems. As skilled rodent hunters, bullsnakes help keep populations balance

Hear that? This clever (and non-venomous) fox snake will shake its tail and mimic the sound of a rattlesnake to keep predators at bay. (We'll say it again, NOT VENOMOUS.) Fox snakes are one of Iowa's most common snakes. While they're not venomous (yes, again) it's always a good idea to give all snakes and wildlife plenty of space. Video description: a fox snake being held in a person's hands, sticking out its tongue; then the snake in the grass, showing its body moving; then the snake in the gra

You know what they say, mimicry is the sincerest form of adaptation, or something like that. Fox snakes are not venomous, but they still shake their tails and create a rattle-like noise to tell you - because they don’t have those Yosemite Sam mudflaps - to BACK OFF. Same with the coiling and putting its “neck” into an S-shape. That doesn’t mean it will strike, though (although it could). It’s likely a bit intimidated by you and would like you to just respect its personal space. And really, that’