Throw in a widespread loss of suitable habitat, and you've got an animal headed for serious trouble. One species, the timber rattlesnake, is now on the endangered species lists of several states and has disappeared completely from at least three, maintaining a stronghold only in the central Appalachian and Ozark mountains. Some people might think that the fewer snakes there are, the better, but like all animals, rattlesnakes have their place in the ecosystem. If you do, they'll leave you alone. Today, many researchers are probing the chemical secrets of venomous animals in hopes of extracting medical treatments for various ailments.
Some venomous creatures can help save lives.
For example, a chemical found in tarantula venom is currently being explored as a treatment for neurological disorders. Another chemical, isolated from the venom of a cone shell , is being tested as a pain reliever. Other venom-derived substances have been or are now being tested as treatments for stroke, arthritis, high blood pressure, brain cancer, insulin production, and neuromuscular disorders. It was phased out, but scientists are now looking at it again. And there's no telling what scientists might find in the future.