While there is already no shortage of threats and dangers brought about by climate change, we have one more to add to the list: Warmer weather makes venomous snake bites more likely, according to a new study.

The study was conducted in the US state of Georgia, home to 17 species of venomous snakes, but only seven of them are of common concern to humans. Analysis of the study shows that each one degree Celsius increase in temperature leads to an average 6 per cent increase in snake bites.

Snakes are known to react to seasonal weather changes, entering a hibernation-like state known as brumation in winter, so these results are perhaps to be expected and also coincide with the findings of previous studies.

However, researchers have not analysed the reasons for this relationship in great depth. In addition to snake biology, warmer weather and something related to human activity may be contributing to the increase.

"We don't know much about how weather - short-term changes in meteorology - drives human-snake interactions, because most dangerous snake bites occur in places where there are no good data on the causes of morbidity and mortality," says health and environmental scientist Noah Scovronick of Emory University in Georgia.

"Even with fairly modest data and using established epidemiological methods, we can learn a lot about snakebite patterns. This study shows that."

Scovronick and the rest of the team analysed 3,908 hospital visits related to venomous snake bites covering the years 2014-2020. These admissions were cross-referenced with the weather for each day, including details such as temperature and precipitation.

While the summer months showed the highest number of snakebites overall, it was actually the spring months that had the strongest association between temperature and snakebites. According to the researchers, it is possible that high summer temperatures make snakes more sluggish.

The study did not attempt to predict how future temperature increases might affect the risk of snake bites, but the expansion of urban areas is already increasing the likelihood that these reptiles will cross paths with humans.

According to World Health Organisation estimates, snake bites account for more than 5 million per year and are responsible for as many as 138,000 deaths each year. Snake venom can cause numerous health problems, amputations and other permanent disabilities.

"A key factor in reducing negative encounters is education," says herpetologist Lawrence Wilson of Emory University. "Let people know what habitats snakes prefer, such as places with dense ground cover, and be wary of such habitats."

"Snakes and humans, even venomous snakes, can live in harmony as long as we respect and understand their habitats and needs."

 

Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/