Small changes in snake habitat have big consequences! The Hafkin study received an international award

Neeta Parab: A scientific study conducted by the Mumbai-based Hafkin Institute has found that a slight change in the habitat of venomous snakes can greatly improve their health, behavior and overall well-being. Not only is this finding relevant to better care for venomous snakes, but this improvement has direct implications for the safety and quality of snake venom used to produce life-saving snakebite antivenoms.

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Hafkin Institute Senior Scientist Initiative Hafkin Institute Senior Scientist Dr. The study was conducted under the leadership of Mrinal Ghag Sawant. In this, aspen wood shavings and conventional paper bedding were compared in the habitat of snakes such as Indian snake, Ghonas. The study was presented at the 13th International Association of Laboratory Zoologists conference in Visakhapatnam in December The third prize has been awarded for the presentation of a comprehensive lecture in this regard. This award highlights the scientific as well as the rhetoric of this research.

Key findings of the study

• The research found that snakes placed on anspun wood bedding experienced the following improvements:
• Better ingestive response and tendency to accept food easily.
• Faster the spinning process.
• Significant reduction in aggression and stress.

In comparison, snakes housed on paper bedding showed reduced food intake, incomplete shedding and more aggressive behavior.
Statistical analysis revealed that there is a strong relationship between the type of bedding and the tensile behavior.
Aggression rates were significantly reduced in snakes housed in anspun bedding.

Why is this research important?

• The surface used to house snakes has a major influence on humidity, temperature balance and natural behavior.
• The health of snakes remains more stable
• Snake handling becomes safer
• Poisoning remains consistent and quality
• All these ingredients are essential for making an effective snakebite antivenom.

According to researchers, when snakes are under stress, their physiological processes are healthier, which makes the snake venom used for antivenom of the highest quality. Snakebite antivenom plays an important role in saving the lives of thousands of snakebite victims in India every year. A Century of Tradition The Hafkin Institute has been active in venom and antivenom research since the early twentieth century. The said research is going on under the guidance of Dr. Suvarna Kharat, Director of Hafkin Institute and the said research work is carrying forward the long tradition of the institute. It also highlights evidence-based reform towards balancing animal welfare and public health.

Broad implications:

• According to experts, these findings could lead to improvements in:
• National guidelines for the care of snakes housed in snake enclosures.
• Adherence to animal welfare standards and regulations in toxicological research institutes.
• Safety of personnel handling snakes.
• The quality of the venom used to produce the antidote

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This study highlights that even small changes in scientific approach can have large and meaningful impacts in the areas of animal welfare, research ethics and human health.