International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 187-195 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 1 87 Research Insight Open Access Impacts of Climate Change on Snake Habitat Selection and Population Dynamics Jing He, Jun Li Animal Science Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311900, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: jun.li@cuixi.org International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.4 doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2025.15.0019 Received: 08 Jun., 2025 Accepted: 19 Jul., 2025 Published: 01 Aug., 2025 Copyright © 2025 He and Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: He J., and Li J., 2025, Impacts of climate change on snake habitat selection and population dynamics, International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 15(4): 187-195 (doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2025.15.0019) Abstract This study shows several ways snakes respond to climate change. In space, many species shift north and move upslope into higher mountains. In time, their daily and seasonal rhythms change, and day–night schedules are reset. Evidence also points to less rain and forest loss shrinking wetlands. Species that rely on moist ground are pushed out first. The effects go further. Reproduction slows. Embryos develop poorly. Food webs lose stability. When snakes enter new areas, risk jumps because prey are unfamiliar and local predators are different. These role changes are appearing across the world. The knock-on impacts may be larger than current estimates.This study offers a focused conservation plan. It aims to steady populations and keep natural balance—both are essential. It also adds a fresh view on how climate change affects reptiles. The results can guide biodiversity policies and future management. Keywords Snakes; Climate change; Habitat selection; Population dynamics; Ecological adaptability 1 Introduction Snakes are crucial for natural balance. This is true in various ecosystems. It not only preys on other animals, but also becomes food for some predators. This can not only regulate population size, but also promote energy flow in the food chain (Reading et al., 2010; Leal-Santos et al., 2024). The snake located in the middle of the food web, like an axis, stabilizes the ecological structure and provides a foundation for the survival of numerous animals and plants. Currently, the global climate is rapidly changing. The temperature continues to rise, rainfall patterns are constantly changing, droughts are becoming increasingly severe, and extreme weather is becoming more frequent. All these changes have had a huge impact on the ecosystem. Due to its body structure, snakes heavily rely on external heat. This makes them very sensitive to climate change. Due to their cold-blooded nature, they require appropriate temperatures to maintain activity and even survive (Winter et al., 2016; Lourenço-De-Moraes et al., 2019). Even minor climate changes can have a significant impact on their survival ability. Snakes are often regarded as indicative species of environmental changes. When the environment is disturbed, they may change habitats, adjust their routines, and even alter their reproductive output; Different species have varying levels of response strength (Biber et al., 2023; Cabral et al., 2024). In areas with the greatest climate pressure, species have already disappeared from their original habitats (Lourenço-De-Moraes et al., 2019; Deng et al., 2024). The latest research also shows that the activity patterns of snakes are being rewritten, which may reshape the operational pattern of the entire ecosystem (Martinez et al., 2024; Liu, 2025). This study will gather the latest knowledge on how climate change is affecting snake habitats and population trends. It will examine the causes of these impacts, examine signs of decline and shifts in snake habitats, and consider the implications for nature and conservation efforts. The study aims to review research across different habitats and snake types, identify areas where more research is needed, and develop ideas to guide future conservation efforts.
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