Garter Snake Bites Man, Cops Issue Advisory

HALIFAX — How far removed from nature have we as human beings become? Halifax police have issued an advisory after a Dartmouth man was bitten by what was likely a large, female melanistic Maritime Garter Snake. The man checked into hospital after suffering some reactions, which has happened to a few people bitten by garter snakes. (There are no venomous snakes in Nova Scotia.) But think of it: a police advisory over a garter snake bite. Seriously, people: stop being afraid of the outdoors.

Update: It may not be this simple: the Canadian Press report suggests that, with Halifax being a port city, it’s possible that it might be an exotic species and something more dangerous, rather than someone taking the vapours because a garter snake bit them. But you know how subjective and unreliable snake sighting reports can be.