Why Ireland has NO SNAKES... is it Magic, or simple NATURE's trick?

India
June 26, 2010 12:33pm CST
I know, it is surprising to most .. who have read the information about Saint Patrick, and his CHARMING and commanding the snakes to cast themselves into sea. There are also scientific explanations about this. Now, this saturday night, I had been reading through some articles, when this subject of RELIGIOUS SUPERSTITIIONS was dwelt ... and, I got this topic. here are two versions: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/NewsEvents/irelandsnakes.cfm which tries to explain the rationale of nature... as the biologists, and scientists view the subject. and, ...http://www.txtwriter.com/Onscience/Articles/patsnakes.html which is a scientists confusion between science and religion. what do you say? ....
2 people like this
18 responses
• United States
26 Jun 10
I think the reason there are no snakes on Ireland is more of a nature. The Saint Patrick legend should not be taken literally, snakes in many religions, especially the more recent ones, symbolize sin and paganism which was what Saint Patrick was really banishing. It has always been too cold for snakes to survive in Ireland and other northern regions and Ireland has been under water for much of the time snakes evolved throughout most of the world.
3 people like this
• United States
26 Jun 10
Oh, and the second link doesn't seem to be working you might want to check it. It might be just me though.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jun 10
yeah...no snakes in Alaska, either.
• United States
26 Jun 10
Just 18" banana slugs. mwaahaahaaaaa
@wmraul (2552)
• Bucharest, Romania
26 Jun 10
Is pure nature - geological fact. The Patrick thing is in fact a symbol of Patrick spreading the cristianism and therefor banishing "evil", in fact druids ... Also in Ireland there are no "dinosaurus' fosiles ever found and then the "I belive St. Patrick kill'em all and push'em into sea" fans would do better to start doubt their legends ... link: http://blog.everythingdinosaur.co.uk/blog/_archives/2010/3/17/4487416.html
3 people like this
• India
26 Jun 10
lols. it is not surprising that both dinosaurs and snakes are supposedly wiped out of IRELAND.. due to ICE AGE. ...and, scientific evidences show this. thanks for the response, and all the information
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jun 10
so. you mean to over rule the glacial and plate shifting.? they call it tectonic shift.. and, you also mean to say, all the tsunamies, and the hurricanes.. just come and go. Don't even touch a leaf.. to shift them off. or wipe them off?
• United States
27 Jun 10
CT they were never wiped out they were not there in the first place. If they were wiped out there would be fossil records.... I feel like a surfer. WIPE OUT!! :D
@skysuccess (8858)
• Singapore
5 Jul 10
consultrainer, I must admit here that this is rather interesting and although I have heard of this before I was really skeptical about it. But now that you've brought it up I just wonder if it really holds any truth. One thing I am sure of is that there will be some scientist(s) who will go the lengths to find some science theory to back this up.
• India
6 Jul 10
dearest friend, you are very true about the scientists.. and also true that they will go to any lengths, just to put forth a theory. the more fearsome, and worrisome the topic is, .. the more famous the scientist becomes.
• Malaysia
26 Jun 10
i checked out those two links... and it's new news to me.. i didn't know Ireland had no snakes. that's a very interesting fact there
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jun 10
Hey mario, since you and rich seem to be such chickens when it comes reptiles it will be a perfect vacation destination. 8D
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jun 10
GA ... are you the apprentice of GAA... Though you seem not to have touched 100 mark, your witty and crispy, sharp words.. like chicken, etc.. are indicative of your near relationship to our GAA. SO, i AM glad to have your comments in to this topic.
• United States
27 Jun 10
I am not really good with initials so whats GAA besides being the first words Ive spoken. No I am not an apprentice of anyone. :P
@sagar21 (1579)
• India
26 Jun 10
Hi consultrainer....I believe in God.. I think I found an interesting link which tells, why no snakes in Ireland Actually there were no snakes in Ireland for St.Patrick to charm.. snakes can't migrate across water... Read more... check this http://www.stlbeacon.org/content/view/7331/199/ thanks for sharing.... have a great day/night.....
2 people like this
• India
26 Jun 10
wow. Sagar.. My Respects ... and, all the possible greetings, and Best Regards to you, for digging out the link... I too believe in GOD.. and, am glad to have started this topic. ... Have a wonderful time, always.
1 person likes this
• China
27 Jun 10
I don't think snake in Ireland is more of a natural. The saint Patrick legend should not literally translates, snake in many religions, especially recently wickedness and the symbol of the pagan, saint Patrick is really drive. It was too cold and snake living in Northern Ireland and the other was under water and Ireland in a long time, the snake in the world most evolved.
2 people like this
• India
27 Jun 10
oh. thanks for the response. and, welcome to mylot. .... science tells us the same. about the ice age, and the loss of reptiles on that ground. but, science is really very choosy. why not in ENGLAND? .. or in AFRICA.. there is another friend, who gave us a different link. i am looking for new information.
@vandana7 (98924)
• India
27 Jun 10
CT - so many problems! Long discussion to read, then you have not one but two links in them, and the worst part is that it is about snakes, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek - are you ok CT? I took pains to read one of the two links, and I am certain I dont want to read the other one! I am not interested in either science or religion, how about finance?
• India
28 Jun 10
meluan.. you were here just at the right moment. how wonderful to get a few more referrals?.... please share some of the loot? and, vanny... I have been trying to find more intimate news about the Nympho Cleopatra .. and all I could find is about snakes. and ireland. you are not comfortable? .. ok. will find something good then.
• India
28 Jun 10
well, thanks for the information on Cleopatra... you seem to know her inside out. lols. any Astral, or early life connections.... and, regarding the father-mother-incest, etc... I DON'T contest those ancient rituals.. and, I don't believe the modern interpretations.. These moderns .. historians and scientists .. find ways to explain old times, through modern view points, which i don't support. and, my star is getting a hard beating, for being so straight in my comments.
@vandana7 (98924)
• India
28 Jun 10
Well here is the news for you about Cleopatra which you possibly didnt know! She was her brother's daughter. I mean, her elder brother and her mother - you know! Her name means - from a famous father! Aspen I think was the name of the snake that she carried and provoked when her strategies didnt work. She was ambitious, and skilled in se*ual art. I wouldnt call her nympho. Rather somebody who used her body to get her way. And the best ever compliment for a woman that came out of Shakespeare's pen was for her "Age cannot wither her, nor customs stale her infinite variety". I think Rhett Butler's "What a woman" would have meant her if it were a competition between Scarlett O'Hara and Cleopatra. If I ever have a female dog, which I plan to have if I ever get to live in an independent house, I will name her Cleopatra. :)
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
27 Jun 10
Hello my sweet. Well, we are never to old to learn something in life. I never knew they did not have any snakes. A shame actually, as they make awesome pets. Thanx for sharing this. TATA.
@vandana7 (98924)
• India
27 Jun 10
We get cobras, kraits, and vipers, apart from pythons. Name it, and I'll have it sent across to you sweetie!
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
27 Jun 10
I like pythons and cobras, Vannie. Very use full pets in this country.
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
28 Jun 10
No, my sweet. We always have snakes for pets here. It keeps us out of trouble.
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
27 Jun 10
I'm intrigued. I read your attached links with so much enthusiasm. I'm not underestimating St. Pat. It's just that science makes it easier to understand. Thank you so much for the wonderful topic.
• India
27 Jun 10
you have told the age old secret.... Science is a brain child of all the religious buffs. It is very very tough to understand nature, and the GOD behind that. So, they have put all the weird theories into place, and gave out all the false ideas, and all the dirty explanations in the name of SCIENCE. ... congratulations for the understanding. If you see, there used to be a lot of scholarships from the CHURCH, .. for doing the science work. See for yourself from all the history.
1 person likes this
@sharad7 (85)
• India
27 Jun 10
I really don't know what is the reason behind it but in the answer of this question I only can say this god is here in this world and all these magic is only done by god and if really scientific reason behind it then why the scientist are not able to solve this question why snakes are not in that country so due to god magic it simple answer.
• India
28 Jun 10
lols. so you consider GOD to be more than SCIENCE?.. don't you think, people will start criticizing you on this idea? .. there are a lot of amazing TRICKS of nature, which the science is not able to understand and explain. even then, they call those who follow GOD... as something different. anyhow, thanks for the support.
• United States
29 Jun 10
Maybe it is because of the weather condition and i believe in religion.
• India
29 Jun 10
thanks for coming in.. and for all the participation.
26 Jun 10
The mythical Irish Snake has always been a Celtic invention often inscribed on tomb stones and building structures during the time that Vikings had come to claim parts of the country but didn't succeed. Ireland does have garter snakes just as Britain does though, they are just really elongated worms that are harmless grass dwellers and rare sightings of them have been reported and written in Geological magazines - I used to have some copies but threw them out after I moved. The Vikings and Celts both worshiped nature and embraced it into their religious culture but more as a symbolic form of national identity. You only have to look at Celtic Jewelery to see that the garter snake is still a prevalent theme in costume design and why it is very expensive in Nordic countries because of its historic value.
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jun 10
wow. you seem to be a HISTORIAN. or a SOCIOLOGIST. thanks for all the information. wish ..
• India
27 Jun 10
ill read all of that later but i never knew ireland =no snakes ty for information
• India
28 Jun 10
meluan... thanks for the stage-in. ... it is really very spontaneous of you to write that. I think, i owe an explanation to frozen phoenix.... dear frozen phoenix.. there is no earnings involved in reading the stuff. except some weird knowledge about reptiles. .. so, take that easy. goodluck, and welcome to the group of my lot.
• India
29 Sep 10
well,its gods desire to keep snakes in ireland
• India
1 Oct 10
thanks for the response dear friend ... have you checked your messages? .. i wanted you to sort out the task issue. Please check and do the needful. GOODLUCK to you on MYLOT, tasks and discussions. And, welcome to this great place. Further, I think, you have read about this topic differently. IRELAND has no snakes.
1 person likes this
@grayxenon (1313)
• Philippines
27 Jun 10
interesting fact, this is the first time i have heard that a country is not inhabited by snakes..i love trivial articles and this will certainly add to my list of interesting facts.
• India
28 Jun 10
THANKS for the appreciation. I take this as a cue, and will start off another topic soon, to give out another such nature's tricks. hope you will keep in touch, and workout in all the topics. Please find some of the nature's peculiarity, from your side too.
@shaggin (71663)
• United States
13 Apr 11
I checked out the first link and read it all the way through but the second link would not work for me. Since this discussion was created awhile back the site could no longer be active I dont know. I dont think the fact that there are no snakes in certain places has anything to do with saint patrick. I just think that for whatever reason they cant live in those places. I live in the United states and there are a lot of snakes here. Any non poisonous snake is welcome to come play in my yard with my kids and I but the ones with venom need to stay away.
@llbo1981 (1237)
• China
27 Jun 10
I think it is the trick of the nature.Ireland has no snakes,it is said that no one find the snake in Ireland.But the fact is maybe there are snakes in Ireland,only the person doesn't find them.Another reason is that the weather in Ireland is not suitable for snakes.
• India
28 Jun 10
trick of nature? .... what other tricks of nature have you seen...... Rainbow? .. how wonderful it will be to see that, after a shower of golden drops? ========= thanks for the response. but, biologists confirm that there are no REPTILES other than LIZARDS.. in Ireland.
• China
27 Jun 10
Nature is kidding,I think...
• India
28 Jun 10
it is a surprising fact.. thanks for dropping in ... though you seem to be so busy....