Living With Vipers
Understanding Vipers and considering their place in nature
Photo by Eric Centenero Alcalá
Vipers, a misunderstood animal
Even though most of the snakes are harmless (only about 7% can be a threat to human life) they are among the most misunderstood and persecuted groups of all animals. Many different cultures, traditions, and even mainstream media often demonize snakes, depicting them as vicious or evil monsters that will go after humans.
Even today these misconceptions still persist due to fear, and lack of information.
Even if some snakes are venomous, it does not mean that they are intrinsically mean or aggressive. Snakes are as afraid of humans as we can be afraid of them. And they have good reason to be scared. By sheer size alone, we are much more of a threat to them than they are to us. And despite beliefs, snakes and even less vipers -that are way too small- don’t chase or prey on humans. They are scared of us and will try everything in their power to avoid being detected by potential predators. If exposed, they will usually perform displays to warn predators not to disturb them.
Photo by Kevin Messenger
Vipers and Health
Every year, in the world between 81,000 to 138,0001 people die from snakebites, most of them being people living in developing countries who generally don’t have access to proper health care and treatments. As an example, in the United States only about 5 people die from snakebites per year (CDC number) and as a comparison, globally 1.35 million people die on the road each year.
Even though venomous snakebites are a global public health problem, venomous snakes are less a threat to humans than we are to them.
Indeed, vipers are one of the most endangered groups of snakes in the world and one of the most important threats to these reptiles and to many other species, is human activities (urbanization, agriculture, and industrial expansion, etc.) that cause habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation. In addition, direct persecution and slaughtering are also common due to fear or hatred. Today, around a hundred snake species are listed as endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Benefits of vipers for humans
Despite their bad reputation, vipers actually have a fundamental role to play in their ecosystems and are useful to people in many ways.
Not only do they control rodent populations but they also can help save lives!
Indeed the same substance that makes them potentially dangerous to people – the venom- has been used in medicine for several centuries to improve human health.
During the Roman empire, venom was used to treat diseases like smallpox, leprosy, or even to heal wounds and today numerous medicines are created based on vipers’ venom such as anticoagulants to reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Photo by Marco Martins
Benefits of vipers for humans
Despite their bad reputation, vipers actually have a fundamental role to play in their ecosystems and are useful to people in many ways.
Not only do they control rodent populations but they also can help save lives!
Indeed the same substance that makes them potentially dangerous to people – the venom- has been used in medicine for several centuries to improve human health.
During the Roman empire, venom was used to treat diseases like smallpox, leprosy, or even to heal wounds and today numerous medicines are created based on vipers’ venom such as anticoagulants to reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Photo by Marco Martins
What to do if you encounter a snake?
1
First thing, don’t panic.
Remember that there are more than 3,000 species of snakes in the world, among them about 600 species are venomous and only about 7% can really cause a significant wound or be a threat to human life. So chances are you are either facing a non-venomous and completely harmless snake or a venomous snake that can’t kill you.
3
Slowly move away
If you are outside, stand still or slowly move away to give the snake a chance to escape harmlessly. If the snake is moving towards you, stamp the ground to create ground vibrations. This should be enough to make it change its direction.
2
Don’t touch it
Don’t move towards the snake, try to move it with a stick or to pick it up. Wild animals should never be handled; it puts the handler at risk and is extremely stressful to the animal.
4
Call a specialist
If inside, retreat away while keeping an eye on the snake, and call animal control or a professional to remove the snake humanely.
1
First thing, don’t panic.
Remember that there are more than 3,000 species of snakes in the world, among them about 600 species are venomous and only about 7% can really cause a significant wound or be a threat to human life. So chances are you are either facing a non-venomous and completely harmless snake or a venomous snake that can’t kill you.
2
Don’t touch it
Don’t move towards the snake, try to move it with a stick or to pick it up. Wild animals should never be handled; it puts the handler at risk and is extremely stressful to the animal.
3
Slowly move away
If you are outside, stand still or slowly move away to give the snake a chance to escape harmlessly. If the snake is moving towards you, stamp the ground to create ground vibrations. This should be enough to make it change its direction.
4
Call a specialist
If inside, retreat away while keeping an eye on the snake, and call animal control or a professional to remove the snake humanely.
How to prevent encounters: making your home less snake friendly
Watch your step!
Many snakes rely on blending in their surroundings to avoid predators and catch prey, which often makes them almost invisible to us. So it is always good to look where you place your feet and hands and to carry a flashlight at night to see properly your surroundings.
Keep your yard tidy
Many snakes like to hide, so clearing brush, removing wood piles, piles of junks and other attractive things where snakes could hide helps making them more visible and therefore more avoidable.
Control rodents
For snakes that rely on rodents as prey, controlling rodents populations around your house can prevent unwanted snake visit. First, avoid using bird feeders, they attract as many birds as they attract rodents. In addition, you can use humane products to control rodents such as live traps. Because some snakes like to live in burrows, filling rodent holes in your yard can prevent snakes from settling in.