image: Cal Poly biological sciences Professor Emily Taylor (right) receives a certificate of recognition presented by Andrea Chmelik (middle) from Assemblymember Dawn Addis at a World Snake Day event in 2023, along with Andrea's daughter Fiona and Milo, the gopher snake.
Credit: Courtesy Cal Poly
Highlighting a diverse array of snake species — over 3,500 globally — and the critical roles they play in controlling pest populations and maintaining biodiversity, the first-ever World Snake Week is taking place this week.
Emily Taylor, a Cal Poly biological sciences professor and renowned international snake expert, is part of the team organizing the inaugural World Snake Week, which began Sunday, July 13, and will run through Saturday, July 19. More than 50 in-person and online events will be coordinated internationally by conservation groups, scientists, zoos, museums and herpetological societies. These special events will celebrate the world of snakes.
“Snakes are among the most maligned wildlife across the globe, and we want to change the way people see them,” Taylor said. “These animals benefit us by consuming plant-eating, disease-carrying rodents, and they are important parts of food webs. Snake venoms continue to give rise to new life-saving medicines. Promoting the peaceful coexistence of people and snakes is good for both people and snakes.”
As part of the celebration, a local event open to the public will be held July 18 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Pismo Preserve, 80 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach, Calif., including live snakes, crafts, displays and more. Taylor and Cal Poly herpetology students will be on hand with many live snakes for people to hold safely.
Taylor will present a short talk on rattlesnakes and demonstrate tubing an 8-year-old male named Buzz Jr., which is a rare chance for most people to see a rattlesnake up close and even touch its tail. Tubing involves gently guiding a snake into a clear, appropriately sized polycarbonate tube. Once the snake is inside, the handler can safely secure it without needing to grab it by the head.
Worldwide, snake enthusiasts in other countries are participating in the awareness week, which aims to promote snake education, awareness and conservation and help shift negative attitudes toward the limbless reptiles. Participating nations include Ecuador, India, Australia, Philippines, United Kingdom, France, Peru and others.
This is the first year that Taylor and her co-organizers have held World Snake Week. Co-organizers include Australia-based herpetologist, Christina Zdenek, as well as Melissa Amarello, of Arizona, who is a cofounder and executive director of Advocates for Snake Preservation.
It’s an expansion of World Snake Day, which has been celebrated each July 16 since at least 2009 to raise awareness about snakes and their importance in ecosystems. Events in San Luis Obispo County, California have been held on World Snake Day at the Pismo Preserve since 2020.
“We are excited this year to make it part of the global World Snake Week events,” Taylor said.
For more information about World Snake Week, go to: snakeweek.org.