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| Climate Change Information Center at the Agricultural Research Center in Egypt |
Dr. Mohamed Ali Fahim, head of the Climate Change Information Center at the Agricultural Research Center in Egypt, gave a set of tips to citizens to protect themselves from snakes and scorpions during the summer season.
Mohammed Ali Fahim called for the use of wormwood around homes, gardens and farms because of its pungent smell which helps to repel reptiles, in addition to removing dense weeds and construction debris, and sealing the openings and cracks in which they may hide.
Fahim said that scorpion activity begins to increase towards the end of July, coinciding with the continued high temperatures, as they come out of their burrows in search of more humid and temperate places, as they are cold-blooded creatures whose activity is affected by temperatures.
He added that the appearance of snakes during the summer is a seasonal phenomenon that occurs annually, and is linked to the rise in temperatures and urban expansion in the desert hinterland areas, explaining that construction and excavation work disturbs the natural burrows of snakes, forcing them to move to other areas, which increases the chances of their appearance near residential communities.
The head of the Climate Change Information Center pointed out that the Sharqia Governorate is one of the governorates that may witness frequent appearances of snakes due to its large desert hinterland, noting that the phenomenon is not limited to Sharqia alone, but may extend to other governorates that include desert areas or new urban extensions.
Fahim stressed that the rates of snake appearances this year are not comparable to what happened in 2018 and 2020, stressing that the current situation does not represent an exceptional phenomenon and does not warrant concern.
In his statements, he denied any connection between canal lining projects and the appearance of snakes, explaining that their movements are related to the disturbance of their natural environments and rising temperatures.
In this context, he advised against attempting to catch or handle snakes or scorpions individually, and to report them to the competent authorities as soon as they appear, reiterating that adherence to preventive measures and attention to the cleanliness of the area surrounding homes contribute to reducing the entry of reptiles and scorpions into residential areas.
