Litter Is Deadly To Wildlife

On April 17, the day we set aside for the recent litter pick-up in Charlestown, Jeanne Silva, one of the dedicated volunteers working to clear the roadside on Old Mill Road, came upon this pitiful snake, trapped in plastic mesh that someone had dumped at the side of the road. It’s impossible to know how long the snake had been trapped, but if Ms. Silva had not come along, the snake would surely have died. After discovering the entrapped snake, Ms. Silva went home for her scissors and cut the plastic mesh to set the snake loose.

The snake appears to be a Northern Black Racer. They usually emerge from hibernation in April and this snake may have come out of its den directly into the plastic mesh. Litter is more than unsightly – it can kill. These photos are just one example of the many ways that litter can harm wildlife.

Thank you Jeanne for caring about wildlife and saving this black racer!!