When it comes to conservation efforts, rattlesnakes can be a tough sell. The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy just took steps to protect the environment of a an endangered rattlesnake and preserve part of their ecosystem.

"They bring balance to the ecosystem, and they are part of our history in Pennsylvania and worth preserving," Ryan Miller, a zoologist with the conservancy, said about the snakes.

Miller wouldn't disclose the exact location of the property, only saying it was in the northwestern corner of Venango County. The conservancy said the property contains more than 12 acres of wetlands and 1,600 feet of stream.

"We know (the snakes) are in the area," Miller said. "They're very hard to find, they stay hidden in the grass."

Miller said it's unknown how many of the rattlers live on the Venango County land or in three other sites in Venango and Butler counties, but the numbers have been dwindling.

"One place is just a 2-acre area of grass," Miller said. "They are barely hanging on."

He added that the conservancy has tagged about 300 of the rattlers statewide with microchips, so they can be tracked. Miller said poaching is a concern, and law enforcement will be able to track the snakes with the microchips. He said some people believe that snake venom can help with medical problems, and has been explored for treatment of arthritis, polio and multiple sclerosis.

Miller said the snakes eat mice and rodents, which help balance out the ecosystem.

To read the full article, click here.

Proposed and actual bans on keeping various types of reptiles are spreading across the country, from the federal to local level. What can we do? Turn off our computers.

I see a million and one petitions circulating with people complaining that not enough people have signed them. But nobody cares about online petitions. It costs you nothing to sign them, and lawmakers and the media know it.

Ditto a bunch of us getting together to rant and rave about animal rights groups, politicians, and the media changes not one mind. It doesn't stop one law. It doesn't get a single article in a newspaper that presents our point of view.

Instead, get out in the public eye and talk with people who don't understand the appeal of keeping reptiles, and those who don't know about us, our hobby, or our animals. Go to your local pet stores, vet clinics, and dog parks. Network. Educate. Reach out to other pet owners, who you'll find are more sympathetic than you might imagine, once you talk to them as one pet-lover to another.

Carry pre-written letters with you if your state is under fire. Print out 20 copies of letters to our representatives. People are more likely to sign a letter and give it to you if you're willing to mail it for them! Remember, this was a major impact tactic that worked fighting HR669. Keep them on hand and mail them in. Remember, you should have the signer print their name and address on the form so that it shows residency.

Don't waste your breath trying to make people believe in the vast AR conspiracy. You aren't going to get anywhere with that approach, and run the risk of having them think you're a conspiracy theorist and just tune you out.

Instead, focus on educational outreach about herpetology and herp-keeping. I can’t stress this enough. People will not give a damn about these laws if they aren't given a reason to. Let your passion for our hobby and your love of your pets be that reason.

Remind the people you talk to that every classroom in America has lizards, frogs, and turtles in it. Talk to them about the wonders of the natural world, and of herpetological study.

Even if they don't personally want to start keeping reptiles, that may be all it takes for the tide of public opinion to start turning our way, even just a little.

Webster defines a pet as "a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility." So why does the reptile community have such an issue with the word "pet"?

Me, I have an issue with using the word "collections" to describe our animals. I collect comic books, but my reptiles are my pets. I provide their daily needs -- food, water and a clean enclosure. I give them enrichment items and interact with them daily. I keep them because they give me pleasure.

That doesn't change because breeding them and making money doing it; you are still gaining pleasure from those animals that you are raising in your home. You gain personal joy from doing it, you network with others keeping reptiles, and you build our community.

Before you complain our animals are not domesticated, check again. According to Webster, our reptiles are in fact domesticated. Domesticate: "To adapt (an animal or plant) to life in intimate association with and to the advantage of humans."

So tell me, why is saying you have a "pet snake" so wrong?