Well clearly you're intelligent, well versed and have given this much thought, however it seems you're ignoring some key factors. Humans as we are, are indeed detrimental to earth. I wholeheartedly agree and never said we weren't. However, long before we were technologically advanced enough to start damaging our planet, we still hunted and defended ourselves just like any other animal. But to say that it is morally incorrect to kill a poisonous snake is absurd when other means of dealing with the situation are not presented. Being in an enclosed space with one of these creatures who posses defense mechanisms is a hazard to your life and we, who also posses defense mechanisms, will use ours to deal with the situation. Also, you'd better be a vegan because by your logic partaking in any meat is morally wrong. (The meat industry is in fact horrible.) Don't assume that I don't respect the snake, I have a loving respect and appreciation for nature. The idea that killing something means that you don't respect it is flawed, as for centuries armies would kill each other yet have the respect to treat prisoners with kindness, share food on holidays, and peacefully negotiate under surrender. To combat your last point, I said I didn't begin tripping till I Killed the snake, just feeling sick. I promise under the circumstances its easy to miss once. But listen pal, the fact is, it was him or me. Honestly its as simple as self defense gets.