From the strikingly beautiful but venomous puff adder to the harmless spotted bush snake, these often-feared legless reptiles play a very important role in the ecosystem. Unfortunately, due to ignorance or simple misunderstanding, the reality is that these cold-blooded creatures rarely make someone’s top 10 ‘most loved animal on the planet’ list. But the fact remains that our delicate ecosystem would be thrown entirely off balance without snakes.
To highlight the importance of snake awareness, especially amid the warm summer season when snakes are most active, Peace Parks TV has come up with just a few reasons why snakes should be respected and maybe even appreciated.
Keeping Populations In Check
Snakes play an integral role in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. This is because snakes can be both predator and prey. When large prey populations such as rodents and frogs start growing, it attracts and sustains a healthy snake population. As the snake population grows, they too become prey for predators such as other snakes, birds of prey and mongooses, to name a few.
Snakes In Medicine
The symbolism of snakes has a long history in medicine. Stemming from Asclepios, the ancient Greek God of medicine, the snake has now become the symbol of medicine across the world. The same deadly venom that makes them so dangerous is helping to save countless lives. This is being done through the synthesis of many life-saving drugs.
The toxins found have now been used in the treatment of heart attacks and blood disorders, brain injuries, strokes, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Increasing Snake Awareness
Peace Parks Foundation recognises the importance of snakes and snake education within rural communities where these reptiles are often feared. To increase their chances of survival, many national park teams help spread snake awareness and explain why it is essential to protect them.
