It seems a snake in the grass isn't always a bad thing

As a boy, I had the privilege of growing up in small towns, where forests and fields were not too far from our back door. A sense of wonder and respect for nature came from climbing trees and building hideouts.

With that came curiosity about other creatures. My stepdad grew up on a farm, and my grandmother used to bring me small snakes she caught such as rat snakes or corn snakes.

I would keep the snakes in a cage for a few weeks before releasing them, feeding them bits of meat and letting them curl around my arm. They felt like smooth, cool leather, not unpleasant at all.