Population Decline of Snakes in the U.S.

Substantial research has been done to document that the population of snakes is decreasing in many areas across the world.. Studies of the snake population in the United States are not as in-depth as those done in Europe and Africa, but evidence exists to show the decreases in population that have been documented in Europe and Africa are also occurring in the U.S. Studies that are performed in the U.S. are typically regional rather than covering the entire country. Snake population decline has been documented in many states.

Not all species of snakes are equally facing population decline. Commonly found, highly adaptable snakes are less likely to face a decline than those that are relatively rare, can only eat specific, limited diets or live in a very specific environment. The southern hog-nosed snake is declining in population throughout the southern United States even as imported and highly adaptable pythons and boas have steadily increased in population. The snakes who have increased in population are well suited to the climate and changing environments in the areas they're in. These are considered to be invasive snake species.

Pesticides, changing climates and the transition many areas of the country are making from rural to suburban or urban are all thought to be factors affecting the snake population in the U.S. and around the globe. Snake populations that only consume a specific type of diet or that live in a very specific environment can be devastated when construction and urban spreading disrupt or destroy the environmental elements they need to survive. Pesticides can poison snakes or kill off the animals those snakes eat.

Snakes are an important part of many ecosystems, whether or not the average person realizes it. Snakes are predators who eat mice, rats, insects, small amphibians and reptiles. Without snakes to keep these populations in check, they can get out of control. Snakes are also a food source for larger predators.