High walls around homes (scorpions, fences, backyards)

[FedupwithNJ]

Why do so many homes have high walls? Someone told me it was to prevent scorpions & snakes! I doubt that since they should be able to scale any wall. How prevalent are the snakes & scorpions? Aren't they mainly in the more rural areas?

[LordBalfor]

Walls in the backyards of SW homes are essentially for privacy just as wooden fences are used elsewhere. You have to remember that wood is relatively scarce and expensive since it's not local to the area (plus the lack of humidity and high heat are rough on wood). Homes (including fences and walls) tend to be built with different materials in different parts of the county. Here in the NW we use wood - since it's relatively cheap and plentiful locally. In the NE they use a lot of stone for walls etc. In the SW they use concrete blocks. It has little to do with scorpions (maybe a LITTLE to do with keeping out snakes) - but mostly it's just economics.

Ken

[rbohm]

keeping snakes and scorpions out is a bogus reason, scorpions can scale a 6ft was with the same ease that they can walk across flat ground, and snakes can tunnel if they wish. the real reason is privacy.

[FedupwithNJ]

Thank you both!

[.45acp]

Protection against migrating desert zombies... shape shifters.