.. and mosquitoes do provide food for lots of different animals and fish. There are only a few species that spread malaria - the rest can be quite useful especially in the arctic tundra apparently. This is why snakes are important
"The Missing Link
As with any system, if one component is lost or removed the entire system is affected.
If the species lost is a predator, then its prey species will potentially explode in number (think cane toad in Australia or rats in a City – no predators) due to the subsequent lack of population control – potentially decimating the available food source.
If the species lost is a prey animal, then its predators will have to turn to alternate food sources, if available, which could cause further declines in population numbers due to the increased competition and pressure for food resources.
Snakes are important components of any natural ecosystem that they are found in. In fact in most systems, snakes fill the important role of being both predator and prey and are an integral part of nature's balance.
Depending on their size and species, snakes will eat just about anything – slugs, snails, worms, insects, fish, frogs, birds and their eggs, mammals and other snakes. Some species, like the Cape cobra, are even known to scavenge road kill.
Snakes and their eggs are also an important food source to other creatures. They're eaten by fish, frogs, other snakes, birds and mammals.
Snakes & You
For South African's, snakes like the slug eater and the mole snake are excellent for the garden as they eat exactly what their names suggest. The mole snake doesn't only eat moles however. Along with other feared snakes like the Cape cobra and the puff adder, these reptiles consume great numbers of rodents.
Yes, that's right – they control your mice and rat populations for free!!
Most people try to control these pests with chemicals which end up polluting our environment.
Snakes provide an easy, environmentally friendly, free and natural pest control service"
Taz x
