What does the snake have to speak about? Rather god or evil

Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous flexible reptiles of the suborder Serpents, More than 20 families are currently recognized, comprising about 520 genera and about 2,900 species of snakes. Of these, 375 are venomous. Snakes are found throughout the world except Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland and New Zealand. Most snakes are found in tropical regions. Snakes are found in many habitats including in the water, forests, deserts and prairies. Sea snakes are widespread throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Snakes consume a variety of items including termites, rodents, birds, frogs, small deer and other reptiles. Snakes eat their prey whole and are able to consume prey three times larger than the diameter of their head because their lower jaw can separate from the upper jaw. To keep prey from escaping, snakes have rear-facing teeth that hold their prey in their mouths. Venomous snakes inject their prey with venom, while constrictors squeeze their prey. They do not need to hunt every day. Anacondas and pythons can survive for up to a year without food after a heavy meal. Snakes hunt mostly at night.

Importance of Snakes in ecosystem

Snakes are a key component in the balance of nature. Their presence or removal from an area directly impacts the health of an ecosystem. Snakes make up a significant proportion of the middle-order predators that keep our natural ecosystems working. Without them the numbers of prey species would increase to unnatural levels and the predators that eat snakes struggle to find food. Snakes are predators and feed on a variety of creatures. Small snakes feed on many harmful bugs and insects. Larger ones eat mice, rats, and other small mammals that can destroy crops or damage personal property. Snakes tend to control rodent populations in particular. Snakes serve as a food source for larger predators such as hawks, owls, herons, and carnivorous mammals such as bobcats. Some snakes consume other snakes if given the opportunity. Immune to the poisonous venom, king snakes will readily make a meal of a rattlesnake that they might encounter.

Snakes are superstitious with religion

Snakes are important in many religions including the Judeo-Christian tradition, Hinduism, Egyptian and Greek mythology, and Native American religions, among others. This prominence in so many religions may be the result of humans’ fear of snakes. Snakes can easily divert attention and produce subconscious fear even in people who are not typically afraid of them. Snakes have played a prominent role in the religions of many cultures, both as good and evil. Some have only considered the snake as sacred while others have giving them a divine status worthy of worship.

Snakes are also mentioned into the Hindu religion. For example, it is commonly believed that the markings on the hood of cobras came from the god Vishnu stepping on the snake. Snakes are also found in Hinduism in relation to god Shiva, who is sometimes called the ‘King of Serpents’. Further, the legend of the Nagas, found in both Hinduism and Buddhism, refers to heavenly snakes, often with numerous heads. In Christianity they believe snake as a symbol of evil and of the devil . Same as Zoroastrians believes the Avesta (Holly book of Zoroastrians) Says snake is a wicked animal because Ahriman, the evil spirit created it. So, the ancient Zoroastrians hated snakes and killed them wherever they saw them. Some Islamic Sufis say that some snakes are jinn; so when anyone sees one of them in his house, he should give it a warning three times. If it return (after that), he should kill it, for it is a devil.

Relationship between snakes and Humans

Snakes have the ability to both fascinate and frighten. Throughout history humans have had an uneasy relationship with serpents. Prominence in so many religions may be the result of humans’ fear of snakes. Snakes can easily divert attention and produce subconscious fear even in people who are not typically afraid of them. Snakes are animals that fascinate many people while frightening others. Good or bad, most people have strong feelings about snakes, but few people remain neutral (Gibbons and Dorcas, 2005). Snakes have been present in the religions of many cultures and today are still the cause of fear and myths. People often perceive snakes as animals to fear and hate. Some snakes are venomous, with a few having the potential to kill. This has lead to the belief that ‘the only good snake is a dead snake’ – the vast majority of spiders suffer the same stigma, and the same fate. Snakes usually prefer to retreat when encountered but can become defensive if threatened. Most snake bites are received by people who try to capture or kill a snake. When left alone, snakes present little or no danger to people. "So the time has come, to take a decision whether to protect Snakes – The harmless, evolutionary significant reptiles or to create a threat to their existence, just by relying on some superstitious beliefs..." The choice is ours.

Author: Ajas Miraj