It’s World Snake Day….
The snake is one of the oldest mythological characters and has been revered by civilizations the world over. There are about 3,458 species of snakes known so far, ranging from the semi-frozen tundra of northern Canada to the steamy jungles of the equator and most of the world’s oceans. Snakes are highly effective predators and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature in each of these realms. Snakes are also fascinating in that they have a prehistoric lineage, thus giving us a glimpse back to a prehistoric time when the earth was ruled by reptiles—many people have no idea that modern reptiles are literally the living, breathing cousins of dinosaurs.
IUCN Snake Specialist Group
The IUCN/SSC Snake Specialist Group (SSG) is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)/Species Survival Commission (SSC); one of six commissions within the IUCN. The SSG is a global network of herpetologists, conservationists, government and non-government representatives, and researchers working to understand and conserve boa and python species (and their close relatives). It is one of approximately one hundred and twenty Specialist Groups organised within the framework of the IUCN/SSC, an international alliance of conservationists that produce the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and a range of other conservation initiatives. The SSG advises governments and wildlife management agencies, evaluates the conservation needs of snakes, initiates research projects, conducts surveys of populations, and provides technical information and training.
More info about snakes:
- https://www.iucnsnake.org
