September 3, 2004
Purdue CD-ROM offers insight into snakes of the Midwest
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - There's something out there called "shovel mentality," and many people have it about snakes, says Brian MacGowan a Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service wildlife specialist.
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"Everyone seems to have strong feelings about snakes," MacGowan says. "Some people love them and some people hate them enough to kill them on sight."
That's where the shovel comes in, both in killing the snake and burying it. However, MacGowan would prefer that people bury their noses in a new educational CD-ROM about snakes instead.
He recently developed "Snakes of the Midwest" in partnership with Bruce Kingsbury, director of the Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, and the Department of Agricultural Communications at Purdue.
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The CD focuses on snakes found in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin and their behavior, ecology, distribution and other habits. The cost is $7.50.
"There are 69 species and subspecies of snakes in the Midwest," MacGowan says. "Some of them are in danger due to loss of habitat and snake phobias. Hopefully this CD will shed a new light on snakes for people. There's little to fear from snakes. There are actually only 6 species in the Midwest that are venomous."
The CD also has classroom applications.
"Snakes of the Midwest" meets Indiana science standards for upper elementary students. It contains lesson plans, photos, crossword puzzles and other games that illustrate the benefits of snakes.
According to Natalie Carroll, a Purdue Extension 4-H/youth specialist, there are approximately 213,000 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders in Indiana, and their teachers could use the CD during science lessons.
"This new CD is a great resource for teachers who want their students to know more about Indiana's wildlife," Carroll says. "In addition to a wealth of information on this CD, an educational section was specifically included for teachers and students. Students will enjoy the games, puzzles and fun facts, and teachers can use the lesson plans and will appreciate the Indiana Science Standards list."
MacGowan said "Snakes of the Midwest" can help students and adults better appreciate the maligned serpent.
"Most students don't know that snakes have an important place within the environment," he says. "But snakes readily feed on pests like garden slugs, voles, mice and rats. And compounds in some snake venoms have the potential to treat cancer, strokes and other diseases."
The CD-ROM is compatible with Mac and PC computers. The CD requires Adobe Reader 6.0, Microsoft PowerPoint, Flash Player and QuickTime. Installation files for each application, with the exception of PowerPoint, are included on the disc.
To purchase "Snakes of the Midwest" call 888-EXT-INFO, visit the Purdue Extension Knowledge to Go web site or e-mail media.order@purdue.edu. Product code is CD-FNR-3. A companion poster, product number FNR-236, is $3.
Additional snake resources available from Purdue Extension include a "Snakes of Indiana" book, product number FNR-173, and a "Snakes of Indiana" CD, product number CD-DNR-173. Both cost $7.50. All the products are available from the toll-free phone line.
Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu
Sources: Brian MacGowan, (765) 647-3538, macgowan@purdue.edu
Natalie Carroll, (765) 494-8433, ncarroll@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page
Related Web sites:
Everything Wildlife
Purdue Extension Education Store
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
The bullsnake is one of the Midwest's largest snakes. It's non-venomous, but still strikes fear into many who see it. The creators of Purdue Extension's "Snakes of the Midwest" CD designed their product to help people learn the truth about snakes and alleviate fears. (Purdue Agricultural Communication Service photo/Mike Kerper)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2004/bull-snake.jpg
Purdue Extension's "Snakes of the Midwest" CD is Mac- and PC-compatible and meets Indiana standards for science education. (Purdue Agricultural Communication Service design/Chip Morrison)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2004/snake-jewelcase.jpg
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