Save snakes:

Its rainy season here in Nepal and the encounter of snake with human is increasing day by day. Some days ago I too with small children’s got encounter with small snake. I found them teasing and hitting with stone. I stopped them and let that small innocent snake go on its own way. I thought of making them aware about snakes and their importance’s in ecosystem. We had applied protocols issued by Government of Nepal (wearing mask and maintaining social distance). There were altogether 8 children. The experience was great having discussion about this topic for an hour.

Here is what I conveyed to them in short.

Snakes are the carnivore’s reptile animals and have important role in maintaining environment. The appearance is different for different type of snake covered with skin and legless. They are expected to live for maximum of 20 years. They feed on frogs, rats and insects, etc. The snakes are predators but sometimes can also be prey for other predators. The snake is important from ecological point of view to the healthcare industries.

Key Points discussed on:

a.       Population Controller/ Pest control: As snake is a carnivore they eat number of prey. This helps in controlling population. Rodents is an excellent example which reproduces exponentially in absence of predators.

b.       Prey for other creatures’/ Balance ecosystem: Snakes are the prey for birds like hawks, etc. Thus helps in food chain.

c.       Economic Importance: Snake provides entertainment in zoos to humans and get to know about its living pattern. 

d. Medicinal Value: Anti- venom can be produced through the snake.

Thank you!

Image Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freepik.com%2Ffree-photos-vectors%2Fsnake-cartoon&psig=AOvVaw3hVocCxCaAjDsXohy5cwmP&ust=1594621568694000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCLDhkLWKx-oCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAa