Of course, reptiles and amphibians have inherent value as beneficial and fascinating members of the world’s ecosystems. However, even if you or those you know have not embraced this philosophy, there are literally millions of great reasons to value them anyway—all the lives they continue to save! Many significant medical advances of our modern age were made possible because of research into herps, particularly snake venoms. It’s not a big stretch to say that by committing to herp conservation the life you save could one day be your own! Here are just a few examples of ongoing research and breakthroughs made possible by herps: Eptifibatide (Integrilin) prevents blood from clotting and is used by doctors to prevent heart attacks.
This lesson is part of Certified Herpetological Guide. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 50 hours).
