Over the 'Pond', here in the UK we don't get many snakes - we have the adder or the slow worm which is a legless lizard, not a snake or a worm (and 'legless' as in no legs rather than blind drunk).
We also don't have Mantis - praying or otherwise and it's too cold for lizards.
We have the toads and frogs (I have a couple of ponds) and I'm working on getting poultry but we also have hedgehogs! They are awesome little creatures who eat slugs and snails etc.

Great article, I love your no chemicals ethos, I practice it myself.
I think you've inspired me to write a little about my own self-sustainable lifestyle I'm trying to force my husband to adopt.