About Snakes
Snakes are very intriguing creatures that incite fear in most humans by the mere sight of them. But the truth is most snakes fear us as much as we do them and would rather avoid us than bite us. Learning about snakes can help alleviate our natural fear of these interesting creatures.
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Features
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Snakes are carnivorous reptiles. There are over 2,000 species of snakes, and they are present on every continent except Antarctica. There are two types of snakes. Venomous snakes use venom to subdue prey, whereas constrictors envelop the body of their prey, squeezing until its circulatory system ceases to function. The scales of a snake have different patterns depending on its species.Contrary to what many people believe, a snake's skin does not feel slimy but smooth and dry. As a snake grows it sheds its skin. The skin does not slough off in pieces but rather in one whole piece. A snake may shed two to four times per year.
The Facts
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Snakes eat small mammals such as birds, fish, eggs, insects and even other snakes. They swallow their prey whole. Snakes track their prey using their sense of smell. They can smell and taste at the same time. Snakes also detect prey through vibrations, and they can feel the movements of prey on the ground. The sharpness of a snake's vision can depend on the species. Some species of snakes can see in infrared, which also helps them to locate prey.
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Evolution
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Most species of snakes reproduce by laying eggs, but some give birth to live offspring. Snakes come in a variety of sizes. The anaconda is the largest snake in the world. Snakes normally try to avoid contact with humans. Snake bites are not as common as most people would believe. If you run across a snake in the wild it is best not to approach it. It wants to be left alone. A venomous snake may strike if it is startled or feels threatened.
Identification
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Venomous snakes have hollow fangs with holes in the bottom that allow venom to pass into the flesh of the victim. The glands that produce the venom are located in the head. Most venomous snakes use their venom to subdue and digest their prey. A few examples of venomous snakes include the rattlesnake, cobra, copperhead and coral snake.
Benefits
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If you're considering keeping a snake as a pet there are a few things to consider. First of all, venomous snakes should not be kept as pets. Do not keep a snake that is found outside as a pet. It's best to purchase a snake from a pet store. Snakes will need to be fed either live or frozen food such as mice. If this is something you will not be able to handle, a snake may not be the right choice of pet for you. A pet snake should be kept in housing such as an aquarium that is sufficiently long enough so that the snake won't be cramped. It doesn't have to fit the entire length of the outstretched snake, but shouldn't be too small either.
Significance
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Some snakes have a fairly passive temperament and are easy to tame. Snakes are cold-blooded, which means that they cannot regulate their temperature. As the temperature drops outside so does the the body temperature of the snake. A pet snake needs proper care such as feeding and adequate housing. Like any other pet, a snake is a responsibility, so make sure you are prepared to care for a snake before purchasing one.
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Resources
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