Benefits of Snakes
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As humans, we are naturally terrified of all snakes, the reason
their bite can lead to death. Agreed, there is lot of negative stigma around
them, because of various myths. Many of the human population are of the belief
that all snakes are venomous and the only way to get rid of the fear is to kill
these reptiles at the drop of a hat. These animals beat a hasty retreat when
confronted, but become angry and can bite only when threatened. In this article
of benefits of snakes to Mother Nature you will be given information on their
uses and advantages.
It has been estimated there exist more than 2600 species of
snakes. There are many snakes - they could be as tiny as an earthworm and can
have big bodies such as Anacondas. They are found everywhere in the globe even
in deserts and swamps. They cannot survive in the cold regions, and some snakes
in the cold environment have changed their survival to the hibernation way.
Unlike humans and other warm-blooded animals, they seldom face nutrient
deficiency as they consume their prey entirely. An anaconda feeds four times a
year. They cannot regulate their body temperature according to the environment
as they are ectotherms.
Let us look into the anatomy of snakes. They are long and do not
have hands, legs. Their body is covered with scales. They have eyes that are
stagnant, has a forked tongue that can be moved. Some of the snake species are
not poisonous.
For catching prey, snakes use various senses such as hearing,
touch to recognize as well track their prey. There are snakes which use venom
to paralyze their prey while some such as pythons use their powerful strength
and long body to squeeze the life out of their victims.
Though there are man-designed tools for checking the number of
rodents such as rat traps, poisoning food items. However, snakes are more
effective as they move fast in sand, rocks, squeeze via cracks and can move
inside burrows and shelters of rodents.
The role of snakes in the food cycle and ecosystem is unmatched as
they are efficient hunters, expert predators and help to maintain the numbers
of many harmful animals in check. The main food are rodents (for large snakes),
insects (small snakes) and unless challenged by the reptiles, the number of
these prey increases which can cause disastrous consequences in the
environment. The rodents, insects and other pests can wreak havoc on crops, and
when they enter people's dwelling they can cause harm to food and companies.
More so, the rodents can spread diseases like the plague. A survey points that many
cause of house fires are caused by chewing of wires by rats and mice.
The snake venom is used in small doses in the treatment of body
ailments such as paralysis, heart attack (blood clotting). The venom of viper
is used in anti-aging medicine and in the prevention of growth of cancer cells.
Although the snakes are worshipped as Gods in Asian countries, their
abodes are becoming less due to more agriculture, development of more lands for
human housing and the introduction of domestic pets. These reptiles deserve to
be respected and need our protection to live harmoniously.
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