Awesome Snake Science!: 40 Activities for Learning About Snakes

Awesome Snake Science!: 40 Activities for Learning About Snakes — page 9
jists snake scientists came to a shocking realization Just as they were starting to do more field studies about snakes it was becoming harder to find snakes Many species of snakes are in danger of becoming extinct There are many reasons snake populations are declining their habitats are being destroyed too many of them are captured for food and the pet trade sometimes new animals that are introduced into snake habitats either hunt the snakes or eat their food and snake roundups contests to find and kill as many snakes as possible are just a few If snakes were to disappear there could be a huge increase in the populations of their prey from insects to mice and even slugs Scientists are concerned that most people don't understand how vital snakes are to the health of our environment All these factors make it more important now than ever for people to learn all they can about snakes Snake Science Many people know the word herpetol ogy but very few know the word ophiol ogy Herpetology is the study of all reptiles and amphibians a large group of animals that includes turtles