Celebrating Snakes

Snake lovers know the world celebrates World Snake Day on July 16, but where did this holiday come from? How does one celebrate reptiles?

A carving found in Turkey from about 12,000 years ago depicts the earliest known artistic representation of snakes. More recently, the first official snake farm was begun in Texas in 1967, then found fame through the rock band The Ramones. Their song drew those curious about snakes to visit, quickly making the farm a world-famous destination that still draws tourists and travelers.

Ranging in length from a few inches to more than thirty feet, snakes’ temperaments vary widely too: from docile to aggressive. Medical practitioners have used snake venom for centuries for treating illnesses and different conditions. Only one-quarter of all snakes are venomous, and India is home to four of the most venomous species. Indian culture contains numerous legends, but snakes have found their way into many other world religions and superstitions over the centuries.

Not knowing what the creature will do in any given situation causes logical fears about interacting with an animal which can cause serious harm. However, most interactions with snakes are due to inadvertently stepping on one, rather than being attacked unprovoked. And most of this can be mitigated with good information. Primarily, World Snake Day aims to educate about snakes, their appearance, and their behaviors. It also draws attention to the many endangered species of these creatures, as well as highlighting what people have done to diminish and damage their natural habitats.

Conservationists use the day to promote their efforts at dismantling common misconceptions about these animals. It is possible to respect their ability to pose a threat to human life while also acknowledging their place in the food chain. Important to pest control, snakes eat rodents and keep the populations at bay. On the other side, birds prey on snakes, keeping their numbers manageable. Ensuring a healthy population of snakes, then, is necessary to keep the food chain balanced.

Those who want to celebrate can spend the day educating themselves about snakes local to where they live. This will provide helpful information on what snakes look like, where they live, and how dangerous they are, as well as how to treat a snake bite. And for pet owners who want a more atypical option, they can learn about which ones would suit their lifestyle.