Humans and squamates Squamata

map showing global distribution of venomous snakebites

an estimated 125,000 people year die venomous snake bites. in alone, more 8,000 venomous snake bites reported each year.

lizard bites, unlike venomous snake bites, not fatal. komodo dragon has been known kill people due size, , recent studies show may have passive envenomation system. recent studies show close relatives of komodo, monitor lizards, have similar envenomation system, toxicity of bites relatively low humans. gila monster , beaded lizards of north , central america venomous, not deadly humans.

conservation

though survived cretaceous–paleogene extinction event, many squamate species endangered due habitat loss, hunting , poaching, illegal wildlife trading, alien species being introduced habitats (which puts native creatures @ risk through competition, disease, , predation), , other anthropogenic causes. because of this, squamate species have become extinct, africa having extinct species. however, breeding programs , wildlife parks trying save many endangered reptiles extinction. zoos, private hobbyists , breeders educate people importance of snakes , lizards.