Snakes lead a hidden life, which is why their decline can go unnoticed. But unless their protection is made a priority, hundreds of species risk becoming extinct in the near future. The heaviest threat they face is the destruction of their habitat, but snakes are also killed out of fear, and many fall victim to traffic or the skin trade.
Snakes' natural habitats are being ravaged by human activities (clearing land for agriculture, felling trees, etc.). In some regions many snake species have already been wiped out, largely because they cannot escape threatened habitats as easily as mammals or birds.
Some species are killed by predators introduced deliberately or accidentally by humans: cats, dogs, mongooses, rats. Industrial and commercial development has also often driven away snakes' prey, thereby depriving them of food. They are also killed on sight in many countries, whether venomous or not.
Thousands die on the roads, are exploited for their skin, captured for zoos, terrariums or research, and in some regions of North America the “rattlesnake round-up” is even a leisure activity, organised in the form of drives.
Protection measures:
Snakes need immediate help if they are to survive. They must be protected in the same way as other endangered species.
Research must receive sufficient funding to fill the many gaps in our knowledge of snakes (some species are known only from a handful of specimens…).
Developing nature reserves dedicated to snakes will still require a great deal of effort, but fortunately they benefit from indirect protection when they share habitats with other endangered species. National parks and nature reserves are therefore of great value in helping to protect the species.
For some snake species, captive breeding programmes are the only way to save them from extinction. The aim of captive breeding must be to release the snakes back into the wild, but if a species is rare as a result of the destruction of its habitat, effective protection measures must first be put in place on the ground.
Education remains the best instrument of protection…
Legislation:
Throughout the world, many snake species benefit from a few animal protection laws, 3 of which regulate the collection, trade and export of rare snakes (or products derived from them).
The main international rule (and the best known) is the Washington Convention, the famous CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which aims to regulate trade in endangered species, whether animal or plant. Signed in Washington in 1973, this convention has been ratified by 120 countries. The species concerned have been listed in appendices, according to the degree of threat they face. The animals considered most at risk have been grouped in Appendix I and are fully protected. They cannot be exported from their country of origin, except for the benefit of scientific or educational institutions. Animals less at risk but nonetheless requiring monitoring are listed in Appendix II. They can be exported, but are subject to controls in both the exporting country and the importing country.
Key points on protection and the law
Many snakes are threatened by the destruction of their habitats, road traffic and trade. Several species are protected: you do not take a snake from the wild, and trade in endangered species is governed internationally by the Washington Convention (“CITES”).
Key points Never capture a wild snake. In Switzerland, keeping certain species — and all venomous species — is subject to authorisation, and trade in protected species is regulated (CITES). When in doubt, seek advice from your cantonal veterinary service. This information does not replace official legal advice.