Experts warn that rising global temperatures and expanding human populations will lead to increased human-snake conflicts.
The impact of climate change continues to be felt worldwide, with warmer temperatures and erratic weather patterns intensifying the risks of natural disasters. Notable examples include hurricanes Helene and Milton, which wreaked havoc in parts of the United States in 2024, and the severe drought that gripped East Africa in 2022, marking the region’s worst in four decades.
According to the European Copernicus climate service, 2024 was recorded as the warmest year on record, with global temperatures averaging 1.6°C (34.9°F) above pre-industrial levels.
Experts predict that these climate shifts, coupled with growing urbanization, are likely to push snakes and human populations into closer proximity, heightening the risks of snakebites. As habitats shift and the frequency of extreme weather events increases, snakes may move into areas once dominated by humans, resulting in more frequent encounters.
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