SNAKE oil, tortoise blood and caiman fat are lubricating a slippery slope towards extinction for many reptiles. At least 165 reptile species are used in concoctions prepared by folk healers around the world, and 88 are already on endangered species lists, according to a report in Biodiversity and Conservation (). 鈥淓ast Asian freshwater turtles are under critical threat largely because of over-collection by the traditional medicine and food industries,鈥� says lead author R么mulo Alves of the State University of Para铆ba in Campina Grande, Brazil.
While some reptile products are clinically proven, the efficacy of most of remains unknown. At worst, poor product hygiene can lead to dangerous illnesses such as salmonella infections, which have repeatedly occurred when people take rattlesnake pills.
鈥淲hile some reptile products are clinically proven, the efficacy of most is unknown鈥�
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Alves has previously found that folk cures made from animal products fly off the shelves even in cities with good access to modern medicines, leaving him with scant hope of a fall in demand. 鈥淐onservation strategies will need to address the cultural aspects of folk medicine,鈥� he says.
Endangered species 鈥� Learn more about the conservation battle in our comprehensive special report.
