Photo by mattiasklumofficial | Today, July 16, is World Snake Day, so let's pay tribute to their key role in ecosystems everywhere. I've photographed snakes on all continents where they're found, producing two stories for natgeo in the process. It's tough to single out a favorite species, but the Jameson's mamba, photographed in the rainforest of Cameroon, is a strong contender. Its venom is lethal; unlike other venomous snakes that specialize in just one kind of venom, the Jameson's mamba delivers a particularly nasty cocktail: hemotoxins, cardiotoxins, fasciculins, as well as myotoxic substances. The lethal characteristics of snake venom are what make it so valuable; scientists study the genetic and molecular makeup by collecting venom and DNA samples. This has led to the development of medicines for heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Also, this does not affect the wild populations since all snakes are released after a quick field sampling. Please visit mattiasklumofficial for...