Chordate Zoology - Textbook - J. V. Tsaryk - 2013

Chapter 5. SUPERCLASS TETRAPODS (TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES) TETRAPODA, seu QUADRIPEDA.

ANAMNIOTS (ANAMNIA) AND AMNIOTES (AMNIOTA)

5.2. CLASS REPTILES, or REPTILIA

5.2.4. Significance of Reptiles

Reptiles play a vital role in nature and human life. They are integral components of most terrestrial and aquatic biocoenoses. Reptiles serve as prey for many fur-bearing animals, such as ferrets, foxes, and others. In South America, Asia, and Africa, local populations keep various non-venomous snakes instead of cats to control small rodents. In certain regions of Central Asia, land tortoises damage melon fields, pistachio plantations, and other crops. In some fish-farming enterprises, Water snakes act as pests by preying on fish fry. Furthermore, land tortoises, certain lizards, and snakes serve as vectors for ticks.

In countries with warm climates, venomous reptiles such as rattlesnakes, cobras, vipers, and sea snakes pose a serious danger to humans.

Previously, before The Use of antivenoms, mortality rates from cobra bites reached up to 20–30%, and from viper bites, 5–6%. Antivenoms are produced by gradually increasing the concentration of venom injected into horses, after which their Blood is collected to manufacture the serum. There are monovalent antivenoms, effective against the bite of a specific snake species from a particular region, as well as polyvalent ones, which counteract the venom of multiple species. Due to the sharp decline in venomous snake populations, specialized serpentariums have been established. One of the first and largest serpentariums is a breeding facility in Brazil near São Paulo. Here, scientists produce various types of antivenoms that save thousands of human lives. Similar serpentariums exist in India, Indonesia, and other countries.

Snake venom is used as a base for manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs (such as Lachesis, Vipraxid, etc.). These medications are utilized to treat rheumatism, radiculitis, cardiac vascular spasms, Bronchial Asthma, and other conditions.

The meat of large lizards and, especially, tortoises is consumed as food. This led to the near-extinction of the Galapagos giant tortoise and the spur-thighed tortoise during the 18th and 19th centuries. The horny carapace of the hawksbill sea turtle is widely used to manufacture boxes, combs, and similar items. The Skin of large lizards, snakes, and particularly crocodiles has long been used to produce footwear and leather accessories.

The population decline of many reptile species has prompted The Development of a series of conservation programs and rational management strategies in specialized breeding facilities.