Aug

24

Snake Facts

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There are more than 2,700 snakes varieties spread all over the world in temperate and warm climates; the only part of the globe where snakes cannot live is Antarctica. Snakes vary in size from a few centimeters to more than nine meters in the case of the anacondas or the pythons. Poisonous snakes are a minority in this huge reptile family, but venom they inject in prey is so powerful that it could cause the death of a human being within a few minutes. Chronological research indicates that, the history and origins of snakes go back to the Cretaceous period, some 150 million years ago, when it appears that snakes evolved from a lizard and changed their living environment.

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 make us think of a past when snakes were more lizard-like than they are today. Snakes or serpents making the subject of symbolic creations and being widely represented in artistic form. Worshiped or hunted down as evil creatures, snakes surely have a fascination on human mind; yet, modern attitudes have changed towards snakes under the pressure of ecologist organization that stress out the importance of these creatures for the environment of the planet. 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’ response to vibrations, the superior sense of smell and even the perception of low frequency sounds make them pretty out of the ordinary. 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 should learn to distinguish between the dangerous or harmless varieties, and thus avoid them accordingly. Non-venomous snakes could also bite and injure one seriously when sensing danger, therefore, a healthy attitude towards such animals will save you a lot of trouble. Do not try to kill, catch or hunt 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.

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