Louisiana Snake ID presents educational show on importance of snakes at Winnsboro Library

WINNSBORO, La (KTVE/KARD) – In an effort to break the many misconceptions of snakes, a Louisiana family began traveling the state, presenting shows to communities on the important roles snakes play in nature.

Louisiana Snake ID is a family show presented by the Hood family that focuses on breaking myths, eliminating fears, and educating Louisiana residents about local snakes. This summer, Louisiana Snake ID is traveling across the state on a library tour, during which the family will visit over 30 libraries. On June 28, 2024, the Winnsboro Public Library hosted the family snake show. KTVE/KARD spoke with the Louisiana Snake ID owner, Kevin Hood, about the summer shows.

We are teaching people the true information about snakes. A lot of times after our show, we’ll do like the hour education, and then afterwards get to pet and hold a snake. A lot of adults are like literally everything I though I knew about snakes was wrong.

Kevin Hood, Owner | Louisiana Snake ID

The shows typically last up to two hours with an educational portion and time for attendees to hold multiple snakes. Hood gave KTVE/KARD further details about what is included in the shows.

It’s just information about ways to identify snakes at a safe distance, how to recognize the venomous snakes in our state. We have a poster for that. Learn the benefits of the venomous. Like I was telling you that the venomous ones, their venom is used to treat breast cancer and other diseases.

Kevin Hood, Owner | Louisiana Snake ID

The Hood family’s show also shines a light on the 48 snakes that are found in the state of Louisiana and highlights that only seven of the 48 snakes are venomous. Kevin Hood stated that most snakes found in residents’ yards are harmless, and if a venomous snake is found, it should not be killed but rehomed.

Take a picture, send it to us, we’ll tell you what it is right away. Chances are it’s going to be non venomous. If it is venomous, we do relocations. We’ll go get venomous snakes and relocate them somewhere safe. If we can’t get to them we have people all over the state, all of the country really, that’ll do it too.

Kevin Hood, Owner | Louisiana Snake ID

The key point Louisiana Snake ID aims to spread the is importance of snakes in nature and their benefit to humans. Each year, snakes eliminate over 200 disease-carrying rodents and thousands of fleas and ticks by eating them, as well as eating garden pests such as snails and slugs.

The Hood family told KTVE/KARD that it is common for incorrect information to spread regarding snakes. Kevin Hood detailed the biggest myth he debunks during his shows.

The biggest myth that we deal with is the head shape. People think that if the head is shaped like a diamond you can tell it’s venomous, and it’s not true. Because when snakes are scared, like she said, when they see us they’re scared. They’ll flatten their bodies to look bigger and in doing that it makes their head look like a diamond.

Kevin Hood, Owner | Louisiana Snake ID

Although most individuals fear snakes, the Hood family says that most beliefs or fears are misconceptions. The family believes that with education and introducing people to reptiles at a young age, a snake’s life can be saved, and their benefit to nature can remain.

For more information on snakes or upcoming Louisiana Snake ID library shows, visit them on Facebook at Louisiana Snake ID.