Species richness, seasonality, and mortality of snakes in human-snake conflicts in Thailand: Insights from citizen science data

Abstract

Human-snake interactions are one of the most intense human-wildlife conflicts in the tropics. The associated snake mortalities could limit their viability and distribution, consequently reducing snake biodiversity and their ecosystem functions. However, information needed for mitigation is limited, partly due to difficulties in snake sampling. Here, online citizen science data was used to investigate the diversity, seasonality, and mortality of snakes involved in human-snake conflicts in Thailand. 21,790 reports of snake encounters from two online social-media platforms were collected from February 2021 to January 2022—representing 154 species (26 % venomous). The most frequently encountered species were Oligodon fasciolatus (11 %) and Chrysopelea ornata (10 %). The number of encounters peaked during the hot season, whilst species richness was highest during the rainy season. Interspecific variations in the seasonality of snake encounters and their responses to climatic conditions were found, most of which were driven by temperature, suggesting future climate warming may increase human-snake encounters. Human killing (8 % of the total encounters) was the primary cause of snake mortalities. The number of human killings increased with increasing number of encounters, but it increased more rapidly in venomous species, indicating frequently encountered venomous species had higher risks of human killings. We highlight the use of social-media platforms as an online snake identification service and the role of citizen science data in addressing ecological questions and informing management strategies. Standardised protocols are needed to minimise sampling biases and improve data quality. Snake experts should utilise these social-media platforms to enhance public understanding of human-snake conflicts.