I know that snakes are not everyone’s favorite creatures. Many people fear them because some of them can be quite deadly. Others fear them because of all the negative connotations connected with them in history and in religion. But in reality, snakes are just like any other living creatures; more good than bad. They are important members of the ecosystem, and without them the balance of nature would be disrupted. Snakes, even poisonous ones, are incredibly good and efficient at killing disease causing small rodents. In fact, they are far better at that than birds of prey or any mammalian predators, so without snakes this world would be over run with mice, rats, and other small rodents; the same animals that carry bubonic plague, haunta virus, and other deadly diseases, as well as destroying electrical wiring, getting into food supplies, chewing insulation, and chewing holes in duct work.

Besides catching rodents, many snakes prey on other ”vermin” species as well. These can include insects, spiders, ticks, and sometimes even other snakes. It’s a well known fact that many of our nonvenomous snakes help to deter poisonous species from coming into the area. And as well as being great pest control, snakes are also important food items for many other species including human beings. Without snakes to feed on, other animals in the higher food chain would go hungry or cease to exist. Snake venom and saliva are also great sources for many types of medications including snake antivenin, antimicrobials, and even anticancer drugs. There are over 3700 types of snakes in this world and of those, only about 600 species are venomous, and only about 200 of those are capable of doing serious harm to a human being. That’s only about seven percent of the worlds snakes! And most snakes, even the venomous ones, would rather avoid people if possible.

World Snake Day was established in 2014 by the Advocates for Snake Preservation. The goal of World Snake Day to to remind people of the importance of snakes and their role in our ecosystems. It also aims to bring awareness to the decline of many snake species due to habitat loss, climate change, and persecution by people. Finally, World Snake Day hopes to help educate people about snakes, their importance, their uses, and how we can live safely with them. You can celebrate by taking a trip to a local zoo or biological park to learn more about snakes in your environment. You can also learn more about snakes by looking at social media postings by groups such as the Advocates for Snake Preservation or you local zoo. However you choose to celebrate, have a great World Snake Day and remember that most snakes are our friends. Treat them with respect and kindness.