Latest news with #DrewRicketts
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Venomous rattlesnakes slither out as temperatures warm in Kansas
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Kansans may need to watch their step when heading outside as snakes reappear across the state, and inside some unfortunate people's homes as temperatures get warmer. 27 News spoke with Drew Ricketts, extension wildlife specialist with Kansas State University, this week about the dangers posed by emerging snakes this spring. He said there are 42 different species of snakes in Kansas but only a handful can be considered dangerous. 'The vast majority are not a threat,' Ricketts said. What are the pink mystery rocks scattered across northeast Kansas? Seven types of snakes carry venom in Kansas, some of which are only rarely seen or encountered. Ricketts said that the type of venomous snake you can find in Kansas' outdoor spaces depends on where you're at in the Sunflower State. 'Out west, people run into the big prairie rattlers lying on the roads or trails,' Ricketts said. Ricketts said copperheads, including the eastern and broad-banded varieties, are the most common type of venomous snake you can encounter in eastern Kansas. People in western Kansas are more likely to bump into a western rattlesnake. 'Copperheads are not very aggressive,' Ricketts said. 'I've actually heard lots of stories from folks who've accidentally stepped on copperheads and not been bitten.' What are the rarest fish you can catch in Kansas and where can you find them? In addition to the western rattlesnake and copperheads, Kansans might also spot the western Massasauga rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake or timber rattlesnake. More rarely seen are western diamondbacks and cottonmouth snakes which have only been found in select areas. Ricketts said it is speculated that cottonmouths, similar to a mystery batch of western diamondbacks at Kanopolis State Park, may not have spread into the state naturally. 'The most commonly misidentified venomous snake in Kansas is the cottonmouth,' Ricketts said. 'There has not been a confirmed cottonmouth sighting in Kansas since the 1990s. It is thought some of them were brought here and released.' Biologists to release more alligator snapping turtles in Kansas Ricketts said people can usually spot the difference between a venomous snake and a non-venomous snake by keeping an eye out for specific traits associated with a dangerous snake. He said venomous snakes in Kansas are known as pit vipers and share certain characteristics in common such as the notorious rattle, nasal openings on the top of the head, cat-like pupils as opposed to round pupils, a broad triangular-shaped head, rough-looking scales and a girthy/large appearance. 'Learning to identify snakes can be very beneficial and learning to give them space is beneficial,' Ricketts said. Each venomous snake has its own unique coloration pattern that people can familiarize themselves with before heading out on an outdoor trek or a campout. Ricketts emphasized the need for people to recognize the signs a snake may be dangerous and to avoid getting close to one, even if you may think it is safe. 'One of the really important things for people to know is 50% of people or more of those bitten by snakes were handling the snakes,' Ricketts said. 'Seeing the snake is the first step of avoiding conflict with a snake.' Found an arrowhead in Kansas? Archaeologist urges you to leave it alone Ricketts said one of the best things you can do when you see a snake is to simply walk away as the snake will likely be gone when you return if given enough time. He encourages people worried about snakes in their backyards to practice lawn care methods such as eliminating cover that snakes like to use such as brush piles, rocks and tall grass. 'Snakes like cover,' Ricketts said. 'Oftentimes when we see them they're out sunning because they're cold-blooded or moving around. The taller the grass that you're in, the more rocks you're around, the more brush piles wood and debris there is, the greater your chances of encountering a snake.' Snakes may not always be found in the yard though. Ricketts said he gets calls every year from frightened homeowners about what they should do when they are facing a snake invasion inside the house. 'That's a big challenge because snakes can squeeze through very small openings,' Ricketts said. 'Older homes tend to have a lot more challenges, they can slip underneath a door that doesn't have a good seal and through cracks in the foundation.' New 'blackout' style license plates may be coming to Kansas Homeowners can try using glue traps or invest in better seals under doors and the foundations to keep curious snakes out. However, the most likely place people will encounter snakes, including venomous varieties, will be the outdoors. 'The more natural of an area you're in, the more likely you are to encounter a snake,' Ricketts said. ' Ricketts said bites from venomous snakes are uncommon with no reported deaths from snakebites in decades in Kansas. He did say that venomous snakebites, while rarely fatal, can lead to necrosis and eventual amputation of a limb. 'Any time somebody is bitten by a venomous snake they should go to the hospital,' Ricketts said. 'If somebody is bitten by a venomous snake, they should go to the hospital if for no other reason than observation.' You can learn more about snake awareness and the native snakes of Kansas by heading to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' (KDWP) website. You can also check out the Kansas Herpetofaunal Atlas (KHA) for more information about reptiles in the Sunflower State. Where are the best places to go 'shed hunting' in Kansas? For more Kansas Outdoors, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Unexpected heroes join the fight against insect scourge that threatens 18 states: 'We are able to find them as quickly as possible'
The spotted lanternfly may be small, but its impact is anything but. Since it was first detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, this invasive insect has expanded into at least 18 states, threatening over 70 plant species — including grapes, hops, and fruit trees. Left unchecked, it could devastate industries and ecosystems alike. But now, an unexpected group of heroes is joining the fight: highly trained detection dogs. Much like bomb-sniffing or search-and-rescue dogs, these canine conservationists are trained to track down spotted lanternflies by scent, helping conservationists stop infestations before they spread. "They've been trained to smell out something we want them to find," said Kansas State University wildlife expert Drew Ricketts, according to the K-State Research and Extension. Their noses are proving far more effective than human eyes, especially in dense forests and hard-to-reach areas where traditional monitoring falls short. Once an infestation is found, crews can remove eggs, apply targeted insecticides, or even introduce natural predators to keep the bug population in check. "As invasive species start to expand, we are able to find them as quickly as possible and can remove them to keep a new population from starting," Ricketts explained. This innovative use of detection dogs is part of a growing movement in conservation. Canines have already been trained to locate coyote scat for wildlife research and to track down endangered bird nests for monitoring. Now, their keen sense of smell is being harnessed to fight one of the country's most destructive invasive species. Ricketts highlighted that the urgency is only growing. He said spotted lanternflies have already been detected as far west as Iowa, and experts fear they could soon take hold in Kansas. That's especially concerning for the state's growing vineyard industry. "Within one growing season of the infestation starting, you could see 80% to 100% vine loss," Ricketts warned. While early detection is crucial, so is community action. The best way to stop the spread is to spot and report them through platforms, such as iNaturalist, and eliminate spotted lanternflies at any stage of their lifecycle, especially by destroying their eggs before they hatch. While it may not feel good to eliminate life, taking action against invasive species is essential to preserving native ecosystems — including the one in your own backyard. By combining innovative solutions like detection dogs with community action, we have a real chance to curb the spread of spotted lanternflies before they cause irreversible damage. Protecting native ecosystems starts with vigilance — and sometimes, that means letting a well-trained nose lead the way. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
