Snakes are of major importance as pest controllers because of their extensive predation on destructive mammals such as rats and mice. Some, like the sea snakes and pythons, are highly regarded as food in Asia but, although most are probably edible, snakes are not widely used for meat. The skin is often used for belts, bags, and shoes. Venom is removed from snakes for use in treating certain diseases and to make antivenin for snakebites.
Medical importance
Antivenom (or antivenin or antivenene) is a biological product used in the treatment of venomous bites or stings. The name, antivenin, comes from the French word venin meaning venom, and historically the word antivenin was predominant around the world, however, this usage is archaic in English. For the English language the World Health Organization decided in 1981 that the preferred terminology in the English language would be "venom" and "antivenom" rather than "venin/antivenin" or "venen/antivenene".
Antivenom is created by injecting a small amount of the targeted venom into an animal such as a horse, sheep, goat, or rabbit; the subject animal will suffer an immune response to the venom, producing antibodies against the venom's active molecule which can then be harvested from the animal's blood and used to treat envenomation in others. Internationally, antivenoms must carefully meet the standards of Pharmacopoeia and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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