Lemme se here Mr Rebel. I was born and raised and lived for 44 years in the Great State of Maine. Population for the entire state just recently exceded 1,000,000 which puts it in the bottom 5 or 6 in the USA Land mass is I believe #8. People per square mile is something like 1/250 so I believe that qualifies me as a country boy. You can have your damn snakes. Like I said, they make great belts, boots and hatbands.
B B
BB,
Right you are sir; belts, boots, and hatbands

I've never lived in Oklahoma City (or any other large city for that matter) -- my office is in OKC, but I wouldn't want to live here. Everyone in town lives in a neighborhood and the only ponds are "Cement Ponds".
I understand that most folks want to avoid snakes at all cost, and that's a good safe attitude to have

I grew up & live out where we have ponds and creeks. And yes, there are snakes around (the snakes help keep the frog population down). We grew up swimming in the creeks and ponds around the house. You are more likely to get bit by a snake walking to the pond than swimming in the pond.
Come on over to Oklahoma..... I'll hook you up with a new belt or hatband