ABOUT SNAKES
Throughout cultures, religious and societies across the world, snakes remain one of the most feared, hated and misunderstood creatures. Our Goal at The Snake Bite Program is to help people better appreciate snakes
A WORLD WITHOUT SNAKES
It is important that snakes remain in the ecosystem as they play a pivotal role in ensuring the delicate balance within nature. It is therefore very important to NOT kill snakes as you harm the environment overall. Snakes maintain biodiversity and was evidenced recently in the large Australian bushfires in New South Wales. After many snakes were killed in such fires, significant rat populations became uncontrolled by snakes and the huge rat numbers decimated farm crops, and animal food sources. This in turn had a profound negative impact on endemic species of Australia.
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This is a singular example of how snakes are important in the environment. Without snakes, their primary prey will explode in numbers and this will affect food resources and damage the food web for other animals which in turn affects plants, waterways and the environment in general. In other words, snakes control animal numbers allowing for the beautiful balance in nature that we all come to appreciate.
SNAKES AND PEOPLE
Throughout history, different cultures and religions have shown an extensive fear towards snakes. In the bible, the Quran, throughout other religious texts, it is shown that snakes are associated with magic, death, evil and fear. This fear has permeated generations until today where many people demonstrate apprehension and misunderstanding associated with snakes.
In particular, Muslim cultures within the 3rd world believe incorrectly to kill snakes without right or justification, particularly those that enter the home. Ignorance as to the importance and how to handle and live with snakes remains key to such behaviours.
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Our goal at The Snake Bite Program is to educate communities how to co-exist with snakes without putting themselves at risk. Research by the Australian Venom Research Unit has shown that almost all snake bites occur in: Men, over 40, in and around their own home, after 4pm and research indicates they were most likely trying to handle, capture or kill a snake. In other words, if we teach people to be respectful to snakes, there is less likelihood of bites occurring.
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Particular focus on education will be in third world communities where poor understanding of snakes and snake bites leads to an increase in fatalities and injuries.
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UNDERSTANDING SNAKE BEHAVIOUR AND TEMPERAMENT
Snakes are very shy creatures by nature. They do NOT want to bite people and a lot of the myths and misunderstanding of snakes is passed through folklore and generational misunderstanding - even in Western countries.
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Snakes start either as hatching from eggs or live birth. At a young age, snakes are often killed, eaten or starve but those that survive are able to progress in life eating prey appropriate for their size. As snakes gradually get bigger, they learn how to interact with their environments.
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Often venomous snakes display their fangs, mock strike or even act as if they're going to attack but in reality, this is almost always a bluff. The primary goal of a snake is to escape and hide only emerging when they feel the necessity to do so due to hunger, thirst, the desire to mate or if exposed. Otherwise, a snake would (and for the most part are) rarely seen despite their ability to live close to humans.
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Where there are people, there is garbage. Where there is rubbish, there are rats and snakes not far behind to control these vermit populations to make our societies cleaner and healthier for all.
Learn More About Snakes
Learn more about Snake Venom HERE
For Information on Aussie Snakes, click here
Learn about our projects HERE