16th July – World Snake Day!
Today is World Snake Day – did you know that there are 3,500 species of snakes worldwide? Of these, only around 600 are venomous, with only 200 species that pose a threat to humans. So snakes are not as scary or as worrying as you might think they are!
While snakes are threatened by many of the same issues that affect all wildlife, such as habitat loss, climate change, and disease, negative attitudes toward snakes may be the biggest barrier to their conservation because it often impedes efforts to address other threats. So why not take some time today and find out why snakes are an essential part of our planet’s biodiversity?
Join in an online event
The Kalinga Foundation is hosting a free online Wild Sync event today with experts talking about snakes and snake bites – Insights from 5 Continents. You can join in by registering on their website – www.kalingacre.com
Save The Snakes is holding their first interactive webinar today at 10hrs (PST/17hrs CEST) – Bridging the Gap Between Snake Conservation and Human-Snake Conflict Mitigation. Their team will discuss snake conservation, the global snakebite crisis and much more! The webinar will feature photos of snakes from around the world and there will be a question and answer session following the presentation. To find out more and to register visit their website – www.savethesnakes.org
Visit a reptile park
Kalimba Reptile Park is located at Ngwerere, just north of Lusaka. The park is home to indigenous snakes as well as giant Nile crocodiles, tortoises and other reptiles. They offer a range of activities with both families and groups being welcome. They are open every day and you can find out more on their Facebook and Website pages.
If you are in Southern Province, you can visit the Livingstone Reptile Park, who are home to a collection of Livingstone’s most notorious reptiles! Find out more on their Facebook page.
Take a course
Helping Hands in Snake Safety (HHiSS) is a local NGO who run sensitisation courses and activities in snake awareness, recognition and handling. They give talks to communities, schools and organisations as well as conducting training and give advice on snakebite management to improve the safe and effective treatment of snakebites in Zambia. You can find out more at www.hhiss.com and on their Facebook page.
Find out more online
If you would prefer to find out more from your own home, then why not join the Zambian Snakes and Other Crawlies Facebook page where you can upload your photos for ID and ask experts questions on snakes found in Zambia.
You can also find out more information on the different species of Zambian snakes at www.arc.com
So why help celebrate World Snake Day today by increasing you knowledge about these amazing creatures.