Snake Facts

With the exception of Antarctica, snakes are everywhere on the globe in warm and temperate geographical areas. Snakes vary in size from a few centimeters to more than nine meters in the case of the anacondas or the pythons. Venomous snakes are far less numerous in this huge reptile family, but venom they inject in prey is so powerful that it could kill a human being within a few minutes. Chronological research indicates that, the history and origins of snakes are lost in the Cretaceous period, some 150 million years ago, when snakes are assumed to have evolved from a lizard and adapted to a different living habitat.

Some modern species still carry primitive distinctive marks, this is the case with pythons and boas that still carry vestiges of hind limbs, which only point to a past when snakes resembled lizards a lot more. Snakes or serpents are present in all cultures, carrying symbolic meanings and being widely illustrated in artistic form. Mankind hunted down or worshiped snakes throughout its history; yet, modern attitudes have changed towards snakes under the pressure of ecologist organization that insist on the importance of these creatures for the balance of ecosystems. And many factors confirm such opinions.

There are many aspects in the life of snakes that fascinate scientists and indicate that there are more things to learn about the many existing species. Thus, it is interesting to study how the patterns on the body of snakes differentiate between individuals even within the same species. Then, snakes’ sensitivity to vibrations, the superior sense of smell and even the perception of low frequency sounds indicate the fact that snakes are fascinating. Infrared sensitivity and the ability to detect body warmth from the distance, causes further awe among snakes researchers.

Snakes share their habitat with us, and people from areas with a higher variety of snake groups and sub-groups develop skills to distinguish between the hazardous or harmless specimens, and thus they reduce the risk of snakebites. Non-venomous snakes could also bite and injure one seriously when threatened, therefore, a avoidance and respect of the snakes’ habitat remain the most effective prevention means. Do not try to catch, hunt or kill snakes: they only feed and defend themselves as they cannot hold grudge and follow you just for the sake of biting. Be extremely cautious when keeping snakes as pets.