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== Relations with humans == {{further|Human uses of reptiles}} ===In cultures and religions=== {{main|Reptiles in culture}} [[File:Laelaps-Charles Knight-1897.jpg|thumb|Painting of fighting "''Laelaps''" (now ''[[Dryptosaurus]]'') by [[Charles R. Knight]] (1897)]] Dinosaurs have been widely depicted in culture since the English palaeontologist [[Richard Owen]] coined the name ''[[dinosaur]]'' in 1842. As soon as 1854, the [[Crystal Palace Dinosaurs]] were on display to the public in south London.<ref name=Torrens>{{cite book |author=Torrens, Hugh |section=Politics and paleontology |title=The Complete Dinosaur |pages=175β190}}</ref><ref name=Glut>{{cite book |last=Glut |first=Donald F. |author-link=Donald F. Glut |author2=Brett-Surman, Michael K. |year=1997 |chapter=Dinosaurs and the media |title=The Complete Dinosaur |publisher=Indiana University Press |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780253333490/page/675 675β706] |isbn=978-0-253-33349-0 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780253333490/page/675 }}</ref> One dinosaur appeared in literature even earlier, as [[Charles Dickens]] placed a ''[[Megalosaurus]]'' in the first chapter of his novel ''[[Bleak House]]'' in 1852.{{efn| "Michaelmas term lately over, and the Lord Chancellor sitting in Lincoln's Inn Hall. Implacable November weather. As much mud in the streets, as if the waters had but newly retired from the face of the earth, and it would not be wonderful to meet a ''Megalosaurus'', forty feet long or so, waddling like an elephantine lizard up Holborne Hill."<ref>{{cite book |last=Dickens |first=Charles J.H. |year=1852 |title=Bleak House |section=[[s:Bleak House/Chapter I|Chapter I: In Chancery]] |page=1 |location=London, UK |publisher=Bradbury & Evans |isbn=978-1-85326-082-7 }}</ref> }} The dinosaurs featured in books, films, television programs, artwork, and other media have been used for both education and entertainment. The depictions range from the realistic, as in the television [[documentary film|documentaries]] of the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century, to the fantastic, as in the [[monster movie]]s of the 1950s and 1960s.<ref name=Glut/><ref name=Gregory>{{cite book |author=Paul, G.S. |author-link=Gregory S. Paul |editor=Paul, G.S. |year=2000 |section=The art of Charles R. Knight |title=The Scientific American Book of Dinosaurs |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-26226-6 |pages=113β118}}</ref><ref name=Searles>{{cite book |last=Searles |first=Baird |year=1988 |section=Dinosaurs and others |title=Films of Science Fiction and Fantasy |pages=104β116 |publisher=AFI Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-8109-0922-9}}</ref> The snake or serpent has played a powerful [[Serpent (symbolism)|symbolic role]] in different cultures. In [[History of Egypt|Egyptian history]], the Nile cobra adorned the crown of the [[pharaoh]]. It was [[snake worship|worshipped]] as one of the gods and was also used for sinister purposes: murder of an adversary and ritual suicide ([[Cleopatra VII of Egypt|Cleopatra]]). In [[Greek mythology]], snakes are associated with deadly antagonists, as a [[chthonic]] symbol, roughly translated as ''earthbound''. The nine-headed [[Lernaean Hydra]] that [[Hercules]] defeated and the three [[Gorgon]] sisters are children of [[Gaia (mythology)|Gaia]], the earth. [[Medusa]] was one of the three Gorgon sisters who [[Perseus]] defeated. Medusa is described as a hideous mortal, with snakes instead of hair and the power to turn men to stone with her gaze. After killing her, Perseus gave her head to [[Athena]] who fixed it to her shield called the [[Aegis]]. The [[Titan (mythology)|Titans]] are depicted in art with their legs replaced by bodies of snakes for the same reason: They are children of Gaia, so they are bound to the earth.<ref name=BF85>{{cite book |last=Bullfinch |first=Thomas |author-link=Thomas Bullfinch |year=2000 |title=Bullfinch's Complete Mythology |edition=reprint |publisher=Chancellor Press |location=London |url=http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/b/bulfinch/thomas/ |isbn=978-0-7537-0381-6 |page=85 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209004721/http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/b/bulfinch/thomas/ |archive-date=2009-02-09 }}</ref> In Hinduism, [[snake worship|snakes are worshipped]] as gods, with many women pouring milk on snake pits. The cobra is seen on the neck of [[Shiva]], while [[Vishnu]] is depicted often as sleeping on a seven-headed snake or within the coils of a serpent. There are temples in India solely for cobras sometimes called ''Nagraj'' (King of Snakes), and it is believed that snakes are symbols of fertility. In the annual Hindu festival of [[Nag Panchami]], snakes are venerated and prayed to.<ref name=Deane>{{cite book |last=Deane |first=John |author-link=The Worship of the Serpent |year=1833 |title=The Worship of the Serpent |pages=61β64 |publisher=Kessinger Publishing |isbn=978-1-56459-898-1 |url =http://www.sacred-texts.com/etc/wos/index.htm}}</ref> In religious terms, the snake and [[jaguar]] are arguably the most important animals in ancient [[Mesoamerica]]. "In states of ecstasy, lords dance a serpent dance; great descending snakes adorn and support buildings from [[Chichen Itza]] to [[Tenochtitlan]], and the [[Nahuatl]] word ''coatl'' meaning serpent or twin, forms part of primary deities such as [[Mixcoatl]], [[Quetzalcoatl]], and [[Coatlicue]]."<ref>{{cite book |author=Miller, Mary |year=1993 |title=The Gods and Symbols of Ancient Mexico and the Maya |publisher=Thames & Hudson |place=London, UK |isbn=978-0-500-27928-1}}</ref> In Christianity and Judaism, a serpent appears in Genesis to tempt [[Adam and Eve]] with the [[forbidden fruit]] from the [[Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil]].<ref>{{Bibleverse|Genesis|3:1|NAB}}</ref> The turtle has a prominent position as a symbol of steadfastness and tranquility in religion, mythology, and folklore from around the world.<ref name=Plotkin>{{cite book |author=Plotkin, Pamela T. |year=2007 |title=Biology and Conservation of Ridley Sea Turtles |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |place=Baltimore, MD |isbn=978-0-8018-8611-9}}</ref> A tortoise's longevity is suggested by its long lifespan and its shell, which was thought to protect it from any foe.<ref name=Ball>{{cite book |author=Ball, Catherine |year=2004 |title=Animal Motifs in Asian Art |publisher=Courier Dover Publications |isbn=0-486-43338-2}}</ref> In the [[cosmological myth]]s of several cultures a ''[[World Turtle]]'' carries the world upon its back or supports the heavens.<ref name=Stookey>{{cite book |author=Stookey, Lorena Laura |year=2004 |title=Thematic Guide to World Mythology |publisher=Greenwood Press |isbn=978-0-313-31505-3}}</ref> ===Medicine=== {{See also|Epidemiology of snakebites}}[[File:Rod of Asclepius2.svg|thumb|upright=0.25|The [[Rod of Asclepius]] symbolizes medicine]] Deaths from [[snakebite]]s are uncommon in many parts of the world, but are still counted in tens of thousands per year in India.<ref name=Sinha>{{cite news |last=Sinha |first=Kounteya |title=No more the land of snake charmers... |newspaper=The Times of India |date=25 July 2006 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1803026.cms}}</ref> Snakebite can be treated with [[antivenom]] made from the venom of the snake. To produce antivenom, a mixture of the venoms of different species of snake is injected into the body of a horse in ever-increasing dosages until the horse is immunized. Blood is then extracted; the serum is separated, purified and freeze-dried.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Dubinsky |first=I. |year=1996 |title=Rattlesnake bite in a patient with horse allergy and von Willebrand's disease: Case report |journal=Can. Fam. Physician |volume=42 |pages=2207β2211 |pmc=2146932 |pmid=8939322}}</ref> The [[cytotoxic]] effect of snake venom is being researched as a potential treatment for cancers.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Vyas, Vivek Kumar |author2=Brahmbahtt, Keyur |author3=Parmar, Ustav |date=February 2012 |title=Therapeutic potential of snake venom in cancer therapy: Current perspective |journal=Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine |volume=3 |issue=2 |pages=156β162 |doi=10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60042-8 |pmc=3627178 |pmid=23593597}}</ref> '''Gila monsters''' produce compounds that reduce plasma glucose; one of these substances is now used in the anti-[[diabetes]] drug [[exenatide]] (Byetta), a [[glucagon-like peptide-1]] (GLP-1) receptor agonist like [[Semaglutide|semiglutide]] (Ozempic).<ref name=Casey2013>{{cite magazine |last=Casey |first=Constance |date=26 April 2013 |title=Don't call it a monster |magazine=Slate |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2013/04/gila_monster_revolting_creature_the_large_venomous_lizard_of_the_u_s_southwest.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-07-11 |title=Exendin-4: From lizard to laboratory...and beyond |url=https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/exendin-4-lizard-laboratory-and-beyond |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=National Institute on Aging |language=en}}</ref> Another toxin from Gila monster saliva has been studied for use as an anti-[[Alzheimer's]] drug.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alzheimer's research seeks out lizards |date=5 April 2002 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1912396.stm}}</ref> [[Gecko|Geckos]] have also been used as '''folk medicine''', especially in China, without any evidence that they have any active compounds.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Wagner | first1=P. | last2=Dittmann | first2=A. | year=2014 | title=Medicinal use of ''Gekko gecko'' (Squamata: Gekkonidae) has an impact on agamid lizards | journal=Salamandra | volume=50 | issue=3 | pages=185β186 | url=http://www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=375&Itemid=76 | access-date=2014-10-25 | archive-date=2014-10-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025183720/http://www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=375&Itemid=76 | url-status=dead }}{{open access}}</ref> Turtles have been used in Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years, with every part of the turtle believed to have medical benefits (again, without scientific evidence). Growing demand for '''turtle meat''' has placed pressure on vulnerable wild populations of turtles.<ref name=MongabayNews-2014-08-08>{{cite news |title=The threat of traditional medicine: China's boom may mean doom for turtles |date=2014-08-08 |website=Mongabay Environmental News |language=en-US |url=https://news.mongabay.com/2014/08/the-threat-of-traditional-medicine-chinas-boom-may-mean-doom-for-turtles/ |access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref> ===Commercial farming=== {{See also|Crocodile farm|Snake farm|Turtle farming}} Crocodiles are protected in many parts of the world, and are [[crocodile farm|farmed commercially]]. Their hides are tanned and used to make leather goods such as shoes and [[handbag]]s; [[crocodile meat]] is also considered a delicacy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lyman |first=Rick |date=30 November 1998 |title=Alligator farmer feeds demand for all the parts |department=Anahuac Journal |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/30/us/anahuac-journal-alligator-farmer-feeds-demand-for-all-the-parts.html |access-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> The most commonly farmed species are the saltwater and Nile crocodiles. Farming has resulted in an increase in the saltwater crocodile population in [[Australia]], as eggs are usually harvested from the wild, so landowners have an incentive to conserve their habitat. [[Crocodile leather]] is made into wallets, briefcases, purses, handbags, belts, hats, and shoes. [[Crocodile oil]] has been used for various purposes.<ref>{{cite book |first=Elisabeth |last=Janos |year=2004 |title=Country Folk Medicine: Tales of skunk oil, sassafras tea, and other old-time remedies |edition=1 |page=56 |publisher=Lyon's Press |isbn=978-1-59228-178-7 |url={{Google books |plainurl=yes |id=FUaaDBFsYFEC |page=56}} }}</ref> Snakes are also farmed, primarily in [[East Asia|East]] and [[Southeast Asia]], and their production has become more intensive in the last decade. [[Snake farm]]ing has been troubling for conservation in the past as it can lead to [[overexploitation]] of wild snakes and their natural prey to supply the farms. However, farming snakes can limit the hunting of wild snakes, while reducing the slaughter of higher-order vertebrates like cows. The energy efficiency of snakes is higher than expected for carnivores, due to their ectothermy and low metabolism. Waste protein from the poultry and pig industries is used as feed in snake farms.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Aust |first1=Patrick W. |last2=Tri |first2=Ngo Van |last3=Natusch |first3=Daniel J.D. |last4=Alexander |first4=Graham J. |date=2017 |title=Asian snake farms: Conservation curse or sustainable enterprise? |journal=Oryx |language=en |volume=51 |issue=3 |pages=498β505 |doi=10.1017/S003060531600034X |doi-access=free |issn=0030-6053}}</ref> Snake farms produce meat, [[Snakeskin|snake skin]], and antivenom. [[Turtle farming]] is another known but controversial practice. Turtles have been farmed for a variety of reasons, ranging from food to traditional medicine, the pet trade, and scientific conservation. Demand for turtle meat and medicinal products is one of the main threats to turtle conservation in Asia. Though commercial breeding would seem to insulate wild populations, it can stoke the demand for them and increase wild captures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Haitao |first1=Shi |last2=Parham |first2=James F. |last3=Zhiyong |first3=Fan |last4=Meiling |first4=Hong |last5=Feng |first5=Yin |year=2008 |title=Evidence for the massive scale of turtle farming in China |journal=Oryx |language=en |volume=42 |issue=1 |pages=147β150 |doi=10.1017/S0030605308000562 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |issn=1365-3008|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name=MongabayNews-2014-08-08/> Even the potentially appealing concept of raising turtles at a farm to release into the wild is questioned by some veterinarians who have had some experience with farm operations. They caution that this may introduce into the wild populations infectious diseases that occur on the farm, but have not (yet) been occurring in the wild.<ref>{{cite periodical |author=Jacobson, Elliott R. |date=January 1996 |title=Marine turtle farming and health issues |type=guest editorial |periodical=Marine Turtle Newsletter |volume=72 |pages=13β15 |url=http://www.seaturtle.org/mtn/archives/mtn72/mtn72p13.shtml}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=This turtle tourist center also raises endangered turtles for meat |date=2017-05-25 |website=National Geographic News |language=en |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/05/wildlife-watch-cayman-turtle-farm-welfare-controversy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116071147/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/05/wildlife-watch-cayman-turtle-farm-welfare-controversy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=2020-01-16}}</ref> ===Reptiles in captivity=== {{further|Herpetoculture}} A [[herpetarium]] is a [[zoo|zoological exhibition]] space for reptiles and amphibians. In the Western world, some snakes (especially relatively docile species such as the [[Python regius|ball python]] and [[corn snake]]) are sometimes kept as pets.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ernest |first=Carl |author2=George R. Zug |author3=Molly Dwyer Griffin |title=Snakes in Question: The Smithsonian Answer Book |publisher=Smithsonian Books |year=1996 |page=[https://archive.org/details/snakesinquestion00erns/page/203 203] |isbn=978-1-56098-648-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/snakesinquestion00erns/page/203 }}</ref> Numerous species of lizard are kept as [[pet]]s, including [[Pogona|bearded dragons]],<ref name="Virata">{{cite web|url=http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Lizards/5-Great-Beginner-Pet-Lizards/|title=5 Great Beginner Pet Lizards|last1=Virata|first1=John B.|publisher=Reptiles Magazine|access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref> [[iguana]]s, [[anole]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thespruce.com/green-anoles-pets-1236900|title=An Introduction to Green Anoles as Pets|last1=McLeod|first1=Lianne|website=The Spruce|access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref> and [[gecko]]s (such as the popular [[leopard gecko]] and the crested gecko).<ref name="Virata" /> Turtles and tortoises are increasingly popular pets, but keeping them can be challenging due to their particular requirements, such as temperature control, the need for UV light sources, and a varied diet. The long lifespans of turtles and especially tortoises mean they can potentially outlive their owners. Good hygiene and significant maintenance is necessary when keeping reptiles, due to the risks of ''[[Salmonella]]'' and other pathogens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://phys.org/news/2018-06-turtles-great-pets-homework.html|title=Turtles can make great pets, but do your homework first|website=phys.org|language=en-us|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref> Regular hand-washing after handling is an important measure to prevent infection.
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