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Sarasota News Leader November 23, 2012 November 2, 2012 the Treaty of New Echota, by which the en- tire Cherokee Nation obliged itself to abandon its lands in the Southeast in exchange for land in what today is Oklahoma. To no avail the Cherokee protested the treaty as illegal. When the majority of the Cherokee tribe failed to remove themselves by the deadline stipulated by the treaty, some 16,000 were marched west at gunpoint. A quarter of these Cherokee per- ished along the Trail of Tears. However, the Native American proverb, "White man speaks with forked tongue," actu- ally originated long before that betrayal, when the French, warring against the Iroquois in the 1690s, invited their foes to attend a peace con- ference and then slaughtered them in situ. But enough on politics and war and back to the Black Racer, pets and people. Black Rac- ers are so adaptable that they are at home in rural and urban areas — climbing through wild mangroves or swimming lengths in your pool. Pets actually deter snakes from creating a home in your yard because the snakes have "smelled," i.e., processed through their Jacob- Page 60 son's Organ, the presence of a larger animal already inhabiting that area. Dogs get bitten by snakes (and spiders) when they stick their wet noses into places they shouldn't — small holes in the ground or rock crevices. But it is wise to keep your lawn mowed short and wood piles stacked far away from your house to deter snakes from taking up residence close to your living quarters. People have always had a fear-and-fascination relationship with snakes. Fear is good for both parties' safety: People should be wary of the non-venomous and seemingly harmless Black Racer because it can bite and bite again and again when cornered or threatened. These bites are painful and quite prone to infection. So, don't go chasing after snakes, particularly in July and August when it is mating season and the male snake is aggressively concen- trating on reaching that female to show her what amazing things he can do with his forked tongue. Do not block his path to true love! Otus ABOUT OTUS Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-Owl, was born on Sies- ta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of nature's secrets. Otus will answer your questions about our amazing wildlife, but only if you Ask Otus. So please send your questions and photos to askotus@sarasotanews- leader.com. Thank you. Black Racers are common sights in the daytime. File photo