Nine economic and environmental importance of Snakes are:
- Improvement of the ecosystem
- Improvement of farmers’ yield
- Prevention of disease propagation
- Anti-venom production
- Income generation and Entertainment purposes
- Consumption purpose
- Control of the Animal population
- For Pet and companionship
- Industrial uses
Snakes are amazing-looking creatures that have a unique look.
At the first sight of a Snake, they give you either an exciting or a scary look making you either stay and watch them or flee for safety.
The beautiful thing is that these Animals have a lot of economic and environmental importance.
What are Snakes
Snakes are animals that are limbless and legless. They have a covering of skin all over their body, a flipping forked-like Tongue, and exciting open eyes. Some snakes have fangs for the release of Toxic Venoms.
Eight economic and environmental importance of snakes are:
1- Improvement of the ecosystem
Our ecosystem is so precious because of the presence of growing plants that release necessary gases into the environment.
It is believed that snakes help in the propagation of crops by the release of plant seeds in their waste when they excrete. These seeds are taken in when they swallow some of their prey like Rodents who are seed consumers.
This process is a great contributing factor to the improvement of our ecosystem the growth of plants is highly necessary.
This is a great economic and environmental importance of Snakes.
2- Improvement of farmers’ yield
This is an economic and environmental importance of snakes because snakes feed on their prey which is very harmful to the crops of farmers. They feed on these crops leaving the farmer with and production output. The reverse will be the case when the snakes are available to feed on the prey. The farmer’s production will improve.
3- Prevention of disease propagation
Many of the prey snakes feed on are Animals that spread Zoonotic diseases.
Zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be transferred from Animals to man. This affects the health of man and farmers in particular.
Examples of Zoonotic diseases that can be spread by these prey (Rodents) are Leishmaniasis, hantavirus, and Lyme disease.
The presence of snakes will help to reduce the population of these rodents and indirectly prevent the spread of diseases.
4- Anti-venom production
Snake venom is a highly demanded product from the snake farming business. They are used to cure diseases, they are also used for the production of anti-pain relief for people suffering from nervous, bone, arthritis, cardiac, and other issues relating to body pain. Snake venom is used to anti-pain for this issue.
The venom of snakes is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of anti-venoms for those bitten by snakes.
5- Income generation and Entertainment purposes
Snakes are beautiful animals with amazing features. In many countries of the world, snakes are kept in confinement like zoos, farms, and animal parks for people to pay a visit to see and learn about snakes. This is an income generation source for the owners of the snake confinement because the visitors pay before they are allowed to visit where the snakes are kept.
6- Consumption purpose
Snake meat is highly demanded for consumption in many countries of the world. They are a key part of the meal served at some traditional and social functions. They are also in high demand in restaurants, eateries, hotels, and bars. This generates income for the snake farmers and other people involved in the snake meat value chain. This makes snake farming a very lucrative business.
This is a good economic and environmental importance of snakes.
7- Control of the Animal population
The presence of snakes helps to reduce the population of some animals that are harmful to man by consuming them as prey. This is a good economic and environmental importance of snakes.
8- For Pet and companionship
In some parts of the world, snakes are kept as a pet like other animals like Dogs, Cats, Parrots, etc.
Snakes, if well-trained can become very good companions to their owners. There will be income generation for the snake sellers and trainers involved.
This is a good economic and environmental importance of snakes.
9- Industrial uses
Snake farming or keeping is a source of industrial raw materials for the clothing & textile industry and the fashion world.
The skin, teeth, and other parts of a snake are used for the production of clothing, belt, and other fashion items in the clothing & textile industry and the fashion world.
This is a good economic and environmental importance of snakes.