Here's a look at some of the ecological threats to snakes, reptiles, and amphibeans that seem to be pointing to a decline in these species.

In a biodiverse ecological system reptiles such as snakes, and other amphibeans, may not seem to play much of a role in the sustainability of human life on earth, but deeper research into the role of snakes and other herps indicates that they are very beneficial creepy creatures. 

So what are these ecological threats to snakes.

1. habitat loss and degredation
2. introduction of invasive species
3. environmental pollution
4. disease
5. unsustainable use - human use of animals
6. global climate changes
7. others

But first lets differentiate a reptile from an amphibean.

Here are short lists of reptiles and amphibeans.

Reptiles

• snake
• crocodile
• turtle

Amphibean

• toad
• frog 
• salamander

Over 300 million years of evolution has managed to make reptiles and amphibeans noticeably different. One such distinction is the quality of reptile skin compared to it's amphibean close relative. Reptile skin is covered with scales whereas an amphibean creature's skin is glandular and more selective in protecting the creature from toxic environmental sources. Another difference is in the mobility of both species. Amphibeans are highly local while the reptile tends to slither or wander much greater distances.
Those differences are just the tip of the iceberg when answering the question "reptile or amphibean". Icebergs and ice ages have provided plenty of opportunity and time for evolution to provide adaptive garments for the various herps that live in the global village.

Ecological threats to snakes, reptiles, and other amphibeans is not news exclusive to the 21st century. The serpent in it's many forms has managed to adapt quite well and better than many other species of earth creatures from the past. Equally true there must have been many variations of reptiles and amphibeans who have perished in the process of evolution. Secrets like this are sometimes uncovered in fossilized form otherwise the mystery of what types of herps lived in the past is recounted in serpent legends and myths.

One of the latest fossilized discovery sending waves of interest through the scientific and even religious community is that of a possible snake with limbs. Yes a snake with legs could well have existed in the long ago past. But that's another topic.

So as humans all we can do to protect snakes and other herps in the 21st century is to focus on those ecological threats to snakes and other herps mentioned above. Every archeological fossilized remnant from the past can only serve as reminders of the power of nature and perhaps some clues as to what might be done to protect all lifeforms should the worst conditions of nature threaten the survival of any earth organism in the future.

The six ecological threats mentioned above is not my own list. All of these ecological threats to snakes and other herps are mentioned by a much more persuasive authority group called Partners in Amphibean and Reptile Conservation or PARC.

To be true to the cycles of creation it is important to recognize that not all extinctions of species are bad extinctions. The scientist would refer to that as extinction characterized either as anthropogenic or as natural. Anthropogenic ecological threats is a form of genocide in the animal kingdom or in the case of ecological threats to snakes and other herps it is unnatural extinction due to misappropriation of the herpetofauna. In other words the careless use natural elements which causes the extinction of an herp species.

Certain varieties of herps decline in population for natural factors. This is reasonable redistribution in the cosmic numbers when one considers that worldwide there are 4900 species of amphibeans and close to 9000 species of reptiles.