Update: 05/06/2024 06:32
Issued by: 06/05/2024, 06:32
London – Climate change is likely to lead to the mass migration of venomous snakes into new regions and countries that are not prepared for it, making their inhabitants more vulnerable to bites. It was written by The Guardian with reference to a study, according to which most reptiles will probably move from neighboring countries to Nepal, Niger, Namibia, China and Burma.
In the study, researchers modeled the geographic distribution of 209 venomous snake species known to be life-threatening to humans to understand where different species might find favorable climate conditions by 2070.
People in middle- and low-income countries in South and Southeast Asia, as well as parts of Africa, will be most at risk, according to a study published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal.
Most venomous snakes will be less widespread by 2070 due to the loss of tropical and subtropical ecosystems. For some species, such as the Gaboon viper, however, according to the study, their natural habitat will increase by up to 250 percent. Scientists also predict that the range of spotted and horned vipers will more than double by 2070.
“As more and more land is converted to agricultural and livestock land, the natural habitats that snakes depend on are being destroyed and fragmented,” the study authors say. But some species are able to adapt because the fields provide them with a new resource food such as rodents.
“Our research shows that when venomous snakes start appearing in new places, it’s a warning sign to start thinking about how we can protect ourselves and our environment,” added the authors of the study.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.8 to 2.7 million people are bitten by venomous snakes each year, causing up to 138,000 deaths and at least 400,000 amputations and permanent disabilities. In 2017, WHO listed snakebite among the highest priority neglected tropical diseases.
“Now we finally know better how snakes will change their distribution in connection with climate change, but there is also a serious concern that they will bite more people if there are more frequent warm temperatures, heavy rains and floods that displace both snakes and people,” said Anna Pintorová, scientist of the WHO Group for Neglected Tropical Diseases.
