Sn
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Why should I be aware of this? Snakes play a critical role in our environment, because of their role in the food chain. Different types of snakes perform different roles. Numerous snakes are top level predators, for example, a single rat snake lands up eating over a 100 rats annually. They perform a crucial function in controlling insect and other invertebrate populations.Snakes in turn are food for other predators, such as foxes and hawks, and so discharge an important role in linking higher and lower feeding levels. Endangered species such as the copperbelly water snake is an umbrella species as well. Protecting an umbrella species
potentially protects other species sharing all or some of the same environmental requirements. Copperbellies were a large integral part of the wetland ecosystem.
All about endangered snakes When we talk of endangered species we hardly think of snakes. What comes to mind first are the Giant Pandas, Snow Leopards, Gray Wolves etc. Among major human activities which affected snake population are extensive land clearing, whether for housing, industry, mineral exploration or agriculture.
What can you do? Conduct a community awareness survey Conduct a public awareness campaign on the threats to the snake population Write a newspaper column in a local newspaper to educate the members of the community Conduct an environmental seminar or debate and include endangered snakes as one of the topics. Learn more about the causes of habitat loss. Find old and new aerial photographs of a habitat near where you live and compare them. Find out how far planned development threatens snakes
CopperBytes Snakes are the most modern of reptiles, first appearing in the fossil record during the time of the dinosaurs. They gave up external ears and developed clear scales to shield their ever-open eyes from dust and damage. They also developed instinctive behaviors that enabled them to find and catch prey, hide from predators, reproduce and survive in a great variety of climates. They are distributed through most parts of the world. They are closely related to lizards, but do not have external ears or eyelids. Snakes have no eyelids. Their eyes are protected by a transparent layer of skin over the eye. When a snake flicks its tongue at you it is merely trying to figure out what you are.
As they cannot generate their own body heat snakes remain relatively inactive when it is too cold. The most common form of defense by snakes is avoidance. At the first sign of danger, they usually flee. Any other defensive behavior by a snake, such as biting or striking is usually a last resort. All snakes have teeth and will bite if they feel threatened and have no means of escape.