85 species of snakes are known in Iran, and one of the most unique of the animals in our country is the spider-tailed horned viper, which hunts with its tail like a spider.
Coinciding with World Snake Day (July 16) a senior expert on biodiversity said that nearly 85 different species of snakes are known in Iran and continued: “Global warming, which is caused by climate change, killing and also uncontrolled extracting of snake venom has had devastating effect on their population”.
According to ISNA, Barbad Safaie Mahru explained about snakes with special features: “One of the most special snakes we have in Iran is the spider-tailed viper, which hunts with its tail like a spider. There are also types of sea snakes in Iran that are worthy of attention due to their habitat. Mountain vipers are also very important because they live in the mountains and the coldest areas of Iran. They play a vital role in controlling other animal populations.”
This senior biodiversity expert said about the diversity of snakes in Iran: “Snakes have a high diversity in the country. From the point of view of design and diversity in Iran, we have nearly 85 to 90 species of snakes known in Iran, which are rich species among vertebrates. From the point of view of appearance diversity, some Iranian snakes are up to two or three meters long. On the other hand, some are very small in size and resemble earthworms in appearance, but they are vertebrate and are classified as snakes.”
He said that, like other animal species, snakes die when the forest is damaged, or a fire occurs and added: “Research conducted in Kurdistan province in 2013-2015 shows that the diversity of reptiles such as snakes and lizards in the area affected by fires are significantly reduced.”
The reptiles of our lagoon are not doing well
About the devastating impact of climate change on the habitat of reptiles, especially snakes, he said: Most reptiles like tropical regions, and research has shown that they have more diversity in these regions, but the temperature changes that occurred in the past years due to industrial development and climate change has resulted in the multi-degree warming of the earth, even for the species at high altitudes. It has had significant devastating effects because a snowy and cold environment suitable for mountain snakes has suddenly turned into a dry or semi-warm environment, which is unsuitable habitat for this species and causes the habitats to become fragmented. Finally, the populations of these species become insular, inevitably resulting in species extinction.
This senior expert further explained about the difficult living conditions of desert specials: “This problem also exists for thermophilic species on the opposite side of cold-loving species. Climate change causes a huge part of the habitat of reptiles that live in the desert to be destroyed, and plants and insects disappear. As a result, when rodents and insects decrease in their habitat, the feeding process of those species becomes problematic, and predatory species such as Snakes are also convicted to destruction.”
He spoke about the living conditions of snakes and reptiles in the Hamoon wetland area in Sistan and Baluchistan province: “Before, due to the presence of water, Hamon Wetland was a suitable habitat for snakes because insects and rodents, and various species lived in this area despite the fact of water. With the drying of the Hamon wetland, one of our biggest problems is that the species of reptiles in this area have now lost their food source and are skinny. This malnutrition and habitat changes have brought many devastating ecological effects.”
Safaie Mahru continued: “The condition of these snakes and reptiles is critical and unsuitable. During the visits, we took photos of diurnal species. In these photos, most of the ribs of the lizards could be counted under the skin, and this is the devastating effect that we have on species and reptiles by destroying habitats because when they cannot use their habitat and feed on their animals, we will face the risk of population extinction.”
Excessive exploitation and venom-making is causing snake extinction. In response to ISNA’s question about whether Iranian snakes are in danger of extinction or not, he said: the conditions and degree of protection of each species varies. For example, some endemic or native species of Iran have a small population and are less compatible with other species who live in nearby habitats. Some species have fragile conditions in a habitat, their spread is spotty, or the habitat they live in is unique. These changes, whether it is human exploitation of their habitat or invading species, or disease, etc. make these species face extinction.
He added: We don’t see these effects on small species such as “worm-shaped” and “dwarf” snakes because they are not used for their venom, nor do people kill them because they are scared of them, but many giant snakes die due to unlimited harvesting for using their venom for perfume production and pharmaceuticals which has had devastating effects on their population.
About the method of measuring the population of these snake species, Safaie Mehro added: “No clear action has been taken to count the population or snakes in Iran, and we only have academic research on some species, which is cross-sectional.” In general, estimating the population of hiding snakes and nocturnal species is very difficult and expensive. Among the latest studies, at global level, a university in US did this research for 3 years, without funding. They came to the result that estimating snake population is very expensive and labor-consuming, and it is better to use modern technology to assess their population density.
Cancer treatment with venom injection
Regarding snakes who are suitable for venom making for serum production and pharmaceuticals, he explained: Vipers and cobras have been used for years (since 1338, when Razi Serum Manufacturing was established in Iran) and are envenomed to make anti-snake and anti-venom serums. Some countries also engage in extensive experiments and research to use snake venom to produce drugs to fight cancer. These studies are primarily based on biochemistry; synthesizing the proteins inside the poison, they use it to make advanced medicines. In the simplest form of these studies, proteins are extracted from the venom of a viper or cobra and injected into cancer cells, and if found to be suitable for treatment this protein is used for controlling carcinogens.
The senior expert on biodiversity and habitat continued: the same venom collection from snakes can have devastating effects on the species collected from nature. On a worldwide basis, to reduce the harms of this type of research and pharmaceuticals species that are highly important and used in medicine production are reproduced in captivity. This method is very beneficial for both breeders to sell the venom because the snakes are not taken from the wild, and on the other hand the ecosystem is not harmed. Snake species are on the top of the food and energy pyramid; they hunt other animals. Therefore, removing them from nature can cause an outbreak of insects and rodents, which can be very damaging.
In this situation, activities such as venom making from snakes in nature can cause significant damage to fin the near future. Extracting snakes’ venoms may appear to be a useful activity. But, in fact, it is a dangerous and harmful activity for nature because every snake that is killed or removed from nature will cause us to pay a lot of money for pest control in the future, so it is recommended to use breeding methods in captivity, under the supervision of environmental protection guardians.
Centers for breeding snakes in captivity
In response to the question whether there are reproduction centers in Iran, Safaie Mahru said: “Recently, several reproduction centers have started their activities in the country, but there is no information about whether they have been successful or are still undergoing trial and error. This activity is profitable if it is done by experts, and by using advanced and up-to-date technology, so that the species are not harmed.”
About the dangers that snakes cause and how to deal with them, he said: “Big snakes that live on land are few in Iran (unlike in countries like India) and they do not see humans as their prey, but feed on rodents. If you see a snake in your living environment, do not be afraid and calmly give the snake the necessary space so it can move away from the area. If you feel it is a problem, call the fire department to remove it from your living environment. If you see a snake outside of your living environment, without any fear, pass by at a distance of one to two meters and do not try to harm it because snakes do not pose a danger to humans.”
In conclusion, Safaie Mahru reminded us that based on the teachings that have come to us from the past, snakes are beneficial creatures, and they play a significant role in controlling the population of insects and rodents. Let’s suppose someone has rodents in their farm or garden. In that case, snakes are easily attracted to these rodents, and they want to live in that environment, which is a great help to the farmer and gardener, and people should not try to kill them because snakes can keep rodents and insects away from farms and gardens. It is my wish that Iran’s ecosystem is not harmed.
