The coronavirus pandemic has taken the world by surprise, affecting billions of people across the globe. But it’s not just humans that are feeling the impact of the pandemic; even snakes are staying at home during these tumultuous times. Snakes, just like other animals, are feeling the effects of the pandemic in various ways. For one, the closure of zoos and other public places has had a major impact on the livelihood of certain species of snakes. For example, the San Diego Zoo’s Reptile House, which houses a wide variety of snakes, has been closed to the public since mid-March. This closure means that these snakes have had to stay in their enclosures for much longer periods of time, with less opportunity for exercise and interaction with human visitors.
Additionally, the pandemic has disrupted the snake trade industry, leading to a decrease in the availability of certain species of snakes. This is due to the fact that the trade of snakes is often done through international trade, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic. This has led to an increase in prices for certain snakes, as well as a decrease in the availability of others. Another factor that has affected snakes during the pandemic is the lack of food sources. With fewer people out and about, there are fewer rodents and other prey animals available for snakes to feed on. This has led to an increase in the number of snakes that are malnourished or underweight, as the lack of food has caused them to be unable to find enough nutrition.
Finally, the pandemic has also impacted the research that is being done on snakes. Many snake researchers have had to put their work on hold due to the pandemic, as it has been difficult to access the necessary materials or resources for their work. This has caused a delay in research that could have potentially helped to better understand and protect certain snake species.
Overall, the pandemic has had a huge impact on snakes, just as it has for other animals and humans. As the pandemic continues, it is important to keep in mind the effects it is having on the animal kingdom, and to do what we can to help protect our planet’s creatures.
