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Patterns and Risks of China's Snake Trade Driven by Medicinal and Culinary Traditions
Xiang-Mo Li1,2, Shan Su1, Lu-Wen Zhang3
1Herpetological Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|June 12, 2026
Summary
China
Area of Science:
- Conservation Biology
- Wildlife Trade
- International Policy
Background:
- China's snake trade is influenced by domestic demand and international regulations.
- Understanding trade dynamics is crucial for conservation and biosecurity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically analyze China's legal snake trade from 1975-2023.
- To assess trade scale, species, sources, and risks.
- To inform future governance strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of official CITES trade data (1975-2023).
- Utilized Whole Organism Equivalents (WOEs) and adjusted trade measures.
- Identified species composition, source dynamics, and trade risks.
Main Results:
- Cumulative trade exceeded 11.7 million WOEs.
- China transformed from a supply center to a consumption hub.
- Colubrid snakes dominate exports, driven by cultural practices.
- A dual-supply system of wild and captive-bred snakes persists.
- Misreported species and geographic concentration of venomous snake trade identified.
Conclusions:
- Future governance requires molecular tools for identification and HACCP-based frameworks.
- Addressing biosecurity risks is essential for conservation and livelihoods.
- A balanced approach is needed for ecological conservation and economic security.
