Animals & Science

The Hocking Hills area of south-central Ohio contains a diverse range of wildlife, including several species of snakes. Many reptile enthusiasts and nature lovers enjoy seeking out snakes (a...

Throughout the eastern and central United States, fishermen have competition. Northern water snakes inhabit rivers, streams, pond and lakes, and they enjoy a nice fish dinner. These dark brown and...

Nesting boxes are man-made shelters which are intended to simulate an animal's natural nesting habitat. They are most often associated with domestic and wild birds. Farmers, for example, will put...

Snakes play an important role in nearly every ecosystem. Aside from keeping the population of pest animals (like rodents) under control, snakes are also a signal that the ecosystem is healthy....

The range of ring neck snakes stretches from Canada to the United States to parts of Mexico. California ring neck snakes inhabit eastern and central states and some western ones. As their name...

Brown water snakes live in and around large rivers and lakes. Anglers frequently encounter them, as they often drop into boats from trees when disturbed. These snakes spend most of their day in...

Extremely rare and poisonous, the Aruba Island rattlesnake (Crotalus unicolor) has seen its habitat diminish to 12 square miles on the island's southern tip. The International Union for the...

Brown tree snakes are rear-fanged arboreal (tree-dwelling) snakes. These secretive nocturnal snakes can be found in a wide variety of habitats and are known for their adaptability.

Emerald tree boas are arboreal (tree-dwelling) constrictors found in South America. These nocturnal snakes are brightly colored, making them popular in zoos and among pet owners.

Traditional snake charming involves a venomous snake, typically a cobra or viper, being "charmed" by the music of a flute. The snake uncoils from a basket, rises and appears to sway as if...

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a pit viper common to the Southeastern United States. Its range falls primarily between Florida and the Carolinas; its preference is...

Green Vine Snakes (Oxybelis Fulgidus) are Central and South American snakes of the Colubridae family. They are extremely slender snakes that can reach lengths of 6.5 feet.

About 8,000 people are bitten in the United States yearly by venomous snakes, and five of those individuals die from the bite. There are 16 varieties of rattlesnakes and all are venomous, from the...

There are 16 species of rattle snakes. They can be found throughout the United States, but many are concentrated in the southwest. All are venomous, and have a very distinct warning when predators...

The boa constrictor is a large species of snake typically found in Central and South America. The boa constrictor can range in size from 20 inches as a baby to 13 feet as an adult. The lifespan of...

Finding snakes in your home or garden is for some people a common occurrence. However snakes aren't always welcome due to the fact that they can be dangerous, particularly to pets or children....

Catching reptiles can be tricky. Some reptiles, like frogs and lizards, are easier to catch by hand. On the other hand, catching snakes requires some skill and a bit of courage. There may be...

Snakes hold a mixture of fascination and repulsion for many people. Being able to identify them is a skill that would be of interest to hikers, campers, naturalists and any kid with an interest in...

There are over 2,700 species of snakes worldwide. They are found in every country except Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand. It's not surprising to find a snake skin here and...

There are 18 species of non-venomous snakes and three types of venomous snakes that are native to the state of Pennsylvania. The timber rattlesnake, the northern copperhead and the eastern...

Both snakes and worms are animals that do not have any limbs. Many varieties of each live in most areas of the world, in the ocean and on land. While the bodies of the two types of animal are...

Bull snakes live in wooded, desert and prairie areas throughout North America. While they are not venomous, it is important to keep your distance from any snake. Learn more about the bull snake...

Rattlesnakes are most commonly found living in the central and southern parts of the United States where climates are warmer. Look for rattle snakes hiding under rocks and bushes with tips from a...

Green rat snakes live all over the United Snakes, particularly in desert areas. While rat snakes occasionally climb trees, they are are typically found on the ground. Find out more about how green...

I have been an amateur herpetologist (reptile/amphibian enthusiast) for several years. I have a collection of both venomous and non-venomous snakes that I use to give educational demonstrations...

Not all reptiles lay eggs, but those that do typically choose loose earth or sand in order to lay their clutch of eggs. For reptiles that have limbs, a nest is generally built, even if it's just a...

As people and wild snakes move ever closer in proximity because of habitat encroachment, chance encounters with venomous species are on the rise. Over the past 10 to 20 years, herpetoculture, or...

The black racer is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in the eastern United States but is also one of the most difficult snakes to identify. The reason for this is because of the...

Snakes are reptiles that lack many features that other animals have, including legs. Humans have misunderstood snakes for as long as they have coexisted. One of the questions many people have is...

Not all snakes lay eggs--70% of them do, while the rest give live birth. Snakes that give birth to their young without laying eggs are called viviparous. These snakes live in colder climates,...

Mating season for most snakes begins in mid-spring. Unlike most other creatures, snakes have no rituals or competitions involved in the process of mate selection. When male snakes are ready for...

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....

There are approximately 2,700 different species of snakes in the world. Although different species of snakes have different characteristics, many traits are shared by all species of snakes. All...

As a snake grows, its skin stays the same size, so the snake has to shed its skin every now and then and grow a new one. Some snakes shed only a few times a year; others shed several times during...

The yellow rat snake is one of the most popular snakes for people to own as pets, so finding and identifying them in the wild is common. Though they are harmless as far as venom, they are...

The coral snake is often the last snake thought of when we consider the dangerous snakes of North America. In actuality, the coral snake is one of the most toxic snakes in the world. The reason...

The green mamba is the tree-dwelling cousin to the infamous black mamba of Africa. While these snakes share some characteristics, the green mamba and the black mamba are very different snakes. ...

Pit vipers are a general term to describe a specific group of snakes that have an extra sense of a sort: they all have a pit, or sensory organ, that allows them to hunt more effectively. These...

The symptoms of a venomous snake bite can be very clear, or they can be extremely mild. Sometimes such bites are not even noticed for an hour or more. The reason is that not all snake venom...

It’s an interesting dilemma. You find yourself out in the wilds of Australia, or maybe at the zoo, and you’re looking directly into the eyes of a reptile. A snake. But what kind of...

The cottonmouth or water moccasin as it is sometimes called is probably the snake that gets confused with other snakes the most. The reason for this is because any snake found in the water is...

The king cobra is one of the most magnificent snakes on the planet, and they are well respected as being one of the most deadly as well. This snake is one that you would do well to be able to...

The saw scaled viper is famous for being one of the most dangerous snakes anywhere it is found and with good reason. The saw scaled viper is found near human dwellings, and is small. Contact...

Finding snakes in the wild can be a true challenge if you do not know where to look. More importantly, finding snakes can be dangerous as well. Here is a guide to finding snakes safely in the wild.

Legless lizards are a fascinating species of reptile that many mistake for snakes. Learning how to identify a legless lizard can help prevent an overreaction when coming across one in the wild. It...

The ocean is a beautiful place, but it can also be a dangerous one. Thanks to movies like "Jaws," sharks have garnered the reputation as the deadliest creature in the ocean. There is another ocean...

Diamondback Rattlesnakes are very aggressive and dangerous snakes. In fact, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake accounts for a large percentage of all snake bites in the United States. Both...

Sidewinder Snakes are a common inhabitant of the deserts of the American southwest. The three species of Sidewinder Snake, the Sonoran Sidewinder, the Colorado Desert Sidewinder and the Mojave...

Tiger Rattlesnakes (Crotalus tigris) are rare snakes found in the deserts of the southwestern United States. Even though these snakes are not commonly seen in the wild, they can be identified if...