Roles and values Like other natural predators snakes are important in regulating populations of their prey. Without such predators, prey species tend to overpopulate, leading to starvation and disease. Because Australia has few diurnal mammalian predators, birds and reptiles are very important. In Tasmania we do not have large goannas and therefore snakes are the most important reptile predators. Snakes are an important food source for a number of other animals such as birds of prey.
Snakes eat introduced rodents and birds.
Snakes have other values. Many people enjoy watching them. Some populations, because of their long-term isolation, are excellent subjects for the study of evolution and competition. Like all native species they have a right to exist. Tasmania snakes are protected by law in all state reserves.