Another Reason To Save Snakes: They Disperse Seeds (Probably)

Rattlesnakes may do more for ecosystems than we ever imagined. Photo Credit: Mr James Kelley/Shuttersotck We're about a month away from the 60^th annual rattlesnake roundup in Sweetwater Texas. The event proudly calls itself the world's largest—and for good reason. Last year, nearly 8,000 lbs of snakes were killed in this barbaric slaughterfest. But there are so many reasons why this all-out assault on Texas' reptiles is a terrible idea. Rattlesnakes have complex social lives, can live for decades, and are essential to their native ecosystems. As predators, they help keep populations of mice and other small animals in check, which may ultimately help protect us from disease. And, of course, they help disperse seeds, altering the floral landscapes they slither through. Wait—what was that last one? If seed dispersal sounds less like something a snake does and more the purview of mammals and birds, that's because until now, snakes weren't thought of as seed dispersers—mostly because, well, they generally don't eat plants or fruits (at least not willingly). And their smooth scaly skin doesn't exactly give much for burs to stick to. But a new study in