Teach your child not to handle animals and to come get you. I always picked up critters to show my kids, but we never did have venomous snakes in our yard. We had a pond close by too but were in a subdivision. You should teach your kids how to ID the venomous snakes in your area (if she is old enough). Snakes will not be attracted to your garden for the food. They may be attracted for rodents (moles) or just to hide in the bushes ect. I had a large black snake that lived in a shrub one summer. He did not like being 'watered' and would come out when he seen me coming w the hose. He would lay there until I was done and then go back in! I LOVED him because he ate all my moles. I did not realize this until some poor excuse for a man killed it, (he was 'scared' of it) a hate crime of course. Then the moles took over shortly after.
Also kids love turtles, and you are most likely to have problems with that. I cannot stress this enough. Kids think turtles are neat and will try to pick them up. I never had any IDEA how fast and strong snapping turtles are. They will be attracted to your garden, they like the vittles. I used to have turtles come to eat cantaloupe.
Click on 3:40 (that is the turtle part)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
I thought this turtle was amazing!
Albeit I quite don't think you will have a turtle nearly of this size show up in your yard, they can still do alot of damage especially to a small child.
Soooo I agree with Angie, NEVER put your hand where you cannot see.
