Southern Black Racer Stuck in Garden Mesh

Editor’s Note: The Southern Black Racer is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.

When properly and responsibly installed, garden netting can discourage pests and wildlife from ruining your plants. However, this is not always the case. A Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus) was brought into the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) after being found entangled in garden mesh. Unfortunately, it did not survive due to extreme lacerations on its head and body. This is just one example of the negative impact certain netting can have on wildlife.

Black racers are small nonvenomous snakes and pose no threat to humans or pets. Their existence is crucial to ecosystems , as they regulate rodent populations. Habitat loss, road mortality, and intentional killings are the main reasons for their declining populations in certain regions. While not yet listed as endangered, their protection is crucial for the well-being of numerous ecosystems.

Garden nets with excessively small gaps or fine mesh can mean important pollinators like bees and butterflies cannot enter your garden. Conversely, nets with too big gaps can entangle and kill animals such as birds, small mammals, and snakes. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between protecting your garden and preserving wildlife.

To minimize risk, ensure the mesh is no larger than 5mm (¼ inch) and thoroughly secure all edges of the netting. Rather than plastic netting, opt for a more rigid or biodegradable source of mesh. Chicken wire or burlap is sturdier and safer for wildlife, and it won’t break down into microplastics over time.

There are also many ways to create other kinds of removable garden or crop covers that are critter-proof and easy for humans to use! It is important to maintain that balance so we can continue to protect our wildlife and our gardens.