Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[Melt0s]

Hello All.
Thought people might be interested in a little read of this project i done for college. Pretty basic i know. But for people that don't know much about the history and society of snakes, would be pretty good.

Let me know what you think of it.

Regards,
Scott


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Scott Melton HND AC


Describe the Contribution of Snakes to Society



The Work Activities of Snakes


Most people would not think of snakes as a working animal. Obviously, a snake is not as demanding as say a sniffer dog, nor as physical. Snakes can save peoples life’s which have unfortunately been bitten by a disturbed snake. Anti-venom has saved millions of lives world wide, especially in remote areas. Most snakes that allow us with anti-venom have been captive bred and are constantly giving it to hospitals world wide (if necessary). They are usually kept in warehouses, with hundreds of other species.

In farming conditions, farmers often collect snakes and release them near there farm yard, to exterminate mice which will in turn feed on the products that the farm produces, for example cereals. It is a natural and cheap method of doing so. Farmers and snakes surprisingly have a good relationship because of their need for food. The corn snake in America got its name from where the snake is situated.

In India cobras are made to dance for tourists by a well experienced snake charmer. This is often how the snake charmers family makes a living and is usually inherited down the family. The cobra’s are caught from the wild or more commonly bought from snake dealers now days. The snake charmer attempts to make them dance. It is intended that the snakes move because of the sound, but snakes lack external ears. The charmer is actually making the snake sway from side to side from the movement of his limbs.



The Cultural Roles of Snakes


Snakes have fascinated and terrified people for hundreds of years. Some cultures worship snakes, seeing them as creators and guardians, while others fear snakes as devils and symbols of death.
While some people keep snakes as fascinating and unusual pets, most people possess an unfounded fear of these reptiles. Unfortunately, this approach leads to the deaths of many harmless snakes. Of course, a handful of deadly species of snakes can kill a human. However, the anticipated risk of a person to endure a bite from a venomous snake in for example the United States, is twenty times less than being struck by lightning, which is an extremely small chance. Snakes are useful predators, aiding to reduce populations of pest rats and mice. A well educated and healthy respect for snakes is an advantage to both snakes and humans.
Snakes are extremely important in some countries. Spread from Asia to South America to Africa. For example in India, like mentioned above, Snake Charming is a big part of their culture. In Indonesia blood from Cobra’s is drunken and believed to increase sexual virility, the Cobra’s blood is extracted while it is still alive and tends to be mixed with some liquor.

Snake is often used as food in some cultures, such as in Midwestern America states, the unfortunate snake for consumption is the popular Rattlesnake. The meat is a delicacy and eaten on special events. Also in America, there are annual "Rattlesnake Hunts" in Texas where hundreds of snakes are caught and venom is extracted. It draws in many people to see the impressive snakes, and some of the snake handlers often entertain the audience by ‘kissing’ the snakes etc. Most of the snakes go to the butchers for meat.

More popular before all laws entitled snake skin products illegal, the snakes skin/hide was a huge culture to small villages. Western countries would spend thousands on high quality snake skin, which was used from anything to hand bags to musical instruments. From the help of CITES, it is illegal in many countries, however, it still goes on in countries.



The Religious Roles of Snakes


Snakes are big part of religions world wide. They have mixed relationships with religions; snakes have been both demonized and worshipped.

At the beginning of the Bible, a snake is the cause of problems in the Garden of Eden. God told Adam and Eve never to eat fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, the snake persuaded Eve to eat the fruit. It told Eve that the fruit would make her as clever as God. Eve gave some fruit to Adam too. As a punishment, Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden and lose the gift of eternal life. The snake was an agent of the devil; making religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam have an infamous relationship with snakes.

In Greek mythology, Medusa, a monster with snakes for hair, had the power if anybody who looked at her was turned to stone. Perseus managed to avoid looking at Medusa by using his polished shield to look only at the monsters reflection. He cut of her head, and carried it home, dripping with blood. As each drop fell to the floor, it turned into a snake. As the myth makes out her to be a monster, the snakes are however a chthonic symbol, which related to ‘earthbound’. Elsewhere in Greek mythology, Heracles, the son of Zeus, was attempted to be killed by two venomous snakes. However Heracles was strong and killed the snakes. Again, giving snakes an evil tendency, a great asset to kill somebody.
Cobras are honored in India and Southeast Asia. The Hindus consider them manifestations of Shiva, the god of destruction and regeneration. The Buddhists believe a massive cobra spread its hood over the Buddha to protect him from the sun while he meditated. Cobra images guard the entrances of many Buddhist and Hindu temples. King Cobras have also been worshipped as sun gods and are connected with rain, thunder, and fertility. On the annual lunar holiday of Nag Panchami, Hindus refrain from plowing and field work out of respect for cobras.


The Symbolic Roles of Snakes

Snakes are also seen as symbols representing evil. As stated above, the bible uses the symbol of the serpent in the Garden of Eden to represent Satan. In other cases the snakes is seen as a phallic symbol. This perception is passed down from generation to generation. Poorly educated children will grow up to dislike snakes. Many peoples’ phobias are because their parents are scared also, and are not given the chance to clear the irritating phobia. Snakes are not naturally aggressive and always prefer to retreat. They will only attack humans if hurt or provoked – most bites occur when people try to kill or capture snakes. Also, from the bible, the snake shows symbols of temptation and the servant of Satan/the devil.
On the other hand snakes are often seen as symbols of life, death and rebirth. In North American native tribes, the shedding of the snake's skin is associated with life and a new beginning. ‘Serpent’ which comes from old French means "to creep". However, "creep" in the English dictionary means "A sensation of fear or repugnance, as if things were crawling on one's skin".
When snakes are seen in modern days, in entertainment, they are nine times out of ten, made in character to have a disliking characteristic. In the children’s movie "The Jungle Book", the snake was seen to be a bad character. Especially at children, the period of life when they’re learning new things, this is the stage that the world can do to stop phobia’s multiplying. Also in the recent film "Snakes on a Plane", they are used as weapons to kill people on a plane. There for the humans have to kill this, which shows the snakes aggression, which in all makes the snakes again to have such an attitude and fierceness. Other films like "Anaconda" shows snakes bigger then what they really are, killing people.


How Snakes Are Used for Recreation

In the last 20 so years, snakes as pets (as well as other reptiles) have blossomed. Owners of snakes see them as something different or unusual. In some cases, snakes are better pet then pets like cats and dogs. It obviously comes down to personal choice in the end. The main advantage as snakes as a pet, compared to a mammal is if you suffer from allergies. Snakes do not loose fur, carry fleas and do not smell. Another big advantage that snakes have over cats and dogs is that you don't have to feed them daily. Supply them fresh water to drink and generally you feed the snake once a week. Lastly you don't have to clean up after it everyday like a dog or cat, regular spot cleaning can take a couple of minutes per day.
Snakes are hunted in various parts of the world. As stated above, Rattlesnakes are hunted in Western America. The experience that the hunters like Bill Gnarly were, "Snake hunting has been a passion with me since I was a kid. It brings the thrill back when hunting for Western Diamond Back’s". (The Book "Snakes" by Peter Stafford).
Snakes are rarely used for recreation. Probably due to they symbolism with most people. Other then keeping them as pets, most recreation of this interesting animal is nine times out of ten, negative effects on the snakes, for example hunting of the rattlesnakes. Most snakes are nocturnal, so anything involving snakes usually revolves round the time of day. They tend to be hidden all day, and are not one of the most active animals in the animal kingdom. Making them not as good as recreation usage.


The Product and By-Products Provided By Snakes

As mentioned in the beginning, the main bi-product that snakes generously give humanity is anti-venom. Other products such as snake meat, snake oil, snake venom for liquors, rattlesnake rattlers for jewelry, snake skin.
Snake oil is a long established Chinese medicine used to treat joint pain. In spite of this, the most common usage of the phrase is as a critical term for compounds offered as medicines which involves that they are fake, deceitful, or ineffective. The expression is also put in metaphorically to any product with amplifies marketing but debatable or a non proven quality.
Anti-venom is used throughout the world, even when native species aren’t found. Hobbyists of reptiles are now beginning to keep ‘hot’ (venomous) Snakes. First, the venom is "milked" from the snake in laboratories, where in most cases the snakes are captive bred. Then, it is watered down and injected into a horse or any other suitable host. As the chosen animal builds up immunity to the venom, the dose of venom is increased, and the animal creates blood rich in antibodies. Antibodies are blood proteins produced to fight antigens. These antibodies gather in the serum, which is eventually divided from the dark red blood cells. After the serum has been filtered a little more, it's ready to be injected into an unfortunate victim of a snake bite.
Rattlesnakes are also a popular food in some southwestern cuisines and are sometimes sold in specialist meat shops. It has a flavor that has been described as similar to chicken or frog legs and a chewy texture similar to alligator.
One of the most popular products snakes gave the human race is their highly fashionable skin. Laws across the world have banned it in hundreds of countries, but it still goes on. Snake skin clothes and accessories can go for thousands of pounds. It is often on the news when celebrities wear it, much like animal fur.


Employment Opportunities with Snakes

There are many careers in the field of herpetology. These include, but are not limited to, field researches, public and private breeders, zoological staff or curator, college professor, and museum staff or curator. Snakes need experienced care, and knowledge when working with them. For example in Anti-venom laboratories, staff must have a high knowledge of snake anatomy and general herpetology. Scientific research is going on all over the world, helping the species survive from extinction. Herpetologist, people who study reptiles and amphibians are watching behaviors and numbers of snake’s world wide. For example, in the Amazon, Jesus Riva catches and tags each and every anaconda, to maintain a safe and thriving species.
As there are a large amount of people who have a fear of snakes, phobia classes are on demand by various snake keepers or zoo staff. A greater under standing has to go into the humans as well, offering methods to mentally help people s phobias.
Snake Charmers in India make a living from confronting a snake that they keep in a basket all day. There is a huge need of skill for such a life risking occupation. Each charmer has a significant relationship with each snake, knowing when each snake is going to strike etc. No doubt snake charmers loose there lives regularly, but it is there culture and is often passed down from the family.
Reptile Specialist Veterinarians are becoming for in demand throughout the world. As the pet trade of snakes is exploding, ordinary vets that would treat cats and dogs do not have the experties to treat exotic snakes, as well as other lizards, tortoises, amphibians and exotic mammals.

[herp_boi]

That is very interesting. Thanks for posting it
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2.1 Heterodon Nasicus
1.1 Eryx colubrinus
1.1 Elaphe obsoleta linheimeri leucistic
1.1 Varanus acanthurus
0.1 Python Regius
0.0.10 varanus acanthurus eggs.
0.0.31 Heterodon nasicus eggs.
http://www.freewebs.com/njbherps/index.htm

[alan p]

Hi mate thanks for the post i am also in fife what and where are you studying if you don't mind me asking

[Jezz]

Veri interesting report, but me always likes a report with pictures
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x.Jessie.x

2.1.0 Python Regius
1.0.0 Boa Constrictor Imperator
0.0.1 Lampropeltis getulus californiae
1.0.0 Pantherophis guttata guttata
0.1.0 Eublepharis macularius
0.1.0 Testudo hermanni
0.1.0 Grammostola rosea

[Melt0s]

[alan p]

thanks mate might check that out