Snakes get a bad rap. They are very cool! 
:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/garter-snakes-form-friendships-180974882/
(I have for some time had a theory that because humans like to exploit the natural world/nonhuman animals we denigrate animal cognition. That type of justification of animal exploitation is more based in dominion theology than anything scientific imo. Animal cognition is much deeper and richer than human society acknowledges. We might have to seriously reconsider our relationship with the natural world if we acknowledged that.).
Back on topic, Vance is more like a (stout) mosquito!
*whining hum whine whine “falling birth rates!” “Childless catladies” “pet eating immigrants!” Whine whine whine*
Even I dislike mosquitoes 
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