Promoting co-existence between humans and venomous snakes through increasing the herpetological knowledge base

Abstract

Snakebite incidence at least partly depends on the biology of the snakes involved. However, studies of snake biology have been largely neglected in favour of anthropic factors, with the exception of taxonomy, which has been recognised for some decades to affect the design of antivenoms. Despite this, within-species venom variation and the unpredictability of the correlation with antivenom cross-reactivity has continued to be problematic. Meanwhile, other aspects of snake biology, including behaviour, spatial ecology and activity patterns, distribution, and population demography, which can contribute to snakebite mitigation and prevention, remain underfunded and understudied. Here, we review the literature relevant to these aspects of snakebite and illustrate how demographic, spatial, and behavioural studies can improve our understanding of why snakebites occur and provide evidence for prevention strategies. We identify the large gaps that remain to be filled and urge that, in the future, data and relevant metadata be shared openly via public data repositories so that studies can be properly replicated and data used in future meta-analyses.

Human-Wildlife Conflict at a Suburban–Wildlands Interface: Effects of Short- and Long-Distance Translocations on Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber) Activity and Survival

“…As human development encroaches on natural areas, human interactions and conflicts with native wildlife increase [1][2][3][4][5]. In many cases, conflict can provide a basis for public interest in native species and their conservation, and promote coexistence.…”

Malayan kraits (Bungarus candidus) show affinity to anthropogenic structures in a human dominated landscape

“…In 2017 the World Health Organization declared snakebite envenomations as a high priority neglected tropical disease 24 . Despite the clear need, and growing body of literature 25 – 27 , there is still a demand for more information on snake spatial ecology in human-dominated landscapes if we are to determine potential conflict hotspots—particularly in the tropics where snakebite is a major issue 28 .…”

“…can be painless and often occur during the night, with some victims bitten while sleeping 31 – 33 . It is critical to develop better strategies to prevent bites from kraits, and one of the first steps towards this is to better understand the species behavior and ecology 28 . Presently, the literature on the movements, space use, or habitat use of Malayan kraits remains limited to four studies, all with sample sizes of one individual.…”

Malayan kraits (Bungarus candidus) show affinity to anthropogenic structures in a human dominated landscape

“…can be painless and often occur during the night, with some victims bitten while sleeping (Prasarnpun et al, 2005; Warrell, 2010; Tongpoo et al, 2018). It is critical to develop better strategies to prevent bites from kraits, and one of the first steps towards this is to better understand the species behavior and ecology (Malhotra et al, 2021). Presently, the literature remains limited to four studies published based on the movements, space use, or habitat use of Malayan kraits, all with a sample size of one individual each.…”

“…Despite the clear need, and growing body of literature (Glaudas, 2021, Banes et al, 2018Knierim et al, 2019), there is still a demand for more information on snake spatial ecology in human-dominated landscapes if we are to determine potential conflict hotspots -particularly in the tropics where snakebite is a major issue (Malhotra et al, 2021). fragments on campus, mean = 7.36 ±1.48 ha, range = 0.45-45.6 ha [note "±" is used for standard error throughout the text]).…”