0
Snakes
Part of the reptile family there are about 2,400 species of snakes in the world. Snakes live almost everywhere, in deserts, forests, oceans, streams, and lakes. Some species are ground dwellers, others live in trees, and other snakes spend most of their lives in water. This is the place to ask your questions about these cold blooded reptiles.
9,216 Questions
Ringneck snake is a nickname for the snake species Diadophis punctatus. These snakes are nocturnal and slightly venomous and are found throughout the United States, central Mexico, and southern Canada.
the typical height of a snake is 34 inches but it can rise to 98 inches tall
What do snake and mudfish do when they hibernate?
Snakes seek subsurface areas and form clusters to stay warm in places that have winter months. Mudfish hibernate in the moisture under the mud.
How does a snake do the toilet?
Snakes excrete waste through a single opening called the cloaca, which is located at the base of their tail. They eliminate both solid and liquid waste through this opening.
The sense organs of snakes are uniquely different than those of mammals and other animals. Unlike mammals, which mainly rely on their sight and hearing, snakes rely primarily on their senses of smell and touch. They do not have moveable eyelids, but transparent caps called "brille" as protective eye coverings. Because of this, their eye movement is fairly limited. They also do not have an external ear, middle ear, or tympanic membrane (eardrum). Instead, they use a small ossicle (ear bone), called the "columella," to detect vibrations of sound waves conducted through the ground. They are able to pick up some sound waves conducted through the air, but only at very low frequencies.
Snakes also smell in a very different way than mammals. Mammals bring air particles into contact with the olfactory (smelling) nerves by breathing them into the nasal cavities through the nostrils. Snakes have both nostrils and nasal cavities, but they are not used to smell. Instead, the flicking tongue is actually a smelling device. There is a small organ on the roof of the oral cavity called the "vomeronasal organ", or "Jacobson's organ." The forked tongue is used to bring minute air particles into contact with this organ, and the snake then perceives and identifies the smell as prey, predator, or otherwise. So, unlike mammals, the tongue is not used to taste or aid in swallowing, but simply as an accessory smelling organ.
Some snakes also have a "sixth sense" that mammals and even other reptiles cannot boast. Vipers, rattlesnakes, and other members of the family of snakes known as the 'pit vipers' have special pits located between their eyes and nostrils. The pits are used to sense minute temperature changes as infrared rays, as an aid in locating warmblooded prey such as rodents. A pit has two chambers. The interior chamber is naturally the internal temperature of the snake itself. The exterior chamber heats up when it is close to a heat source, and the snake is then able to detect the temperature difference between the two chambers. This system is so accurate that pit vipers are actually able to detect temperature changes as little as 0.002° Celsius.
Integument
Snakes, like all reptiles, are covered in scales that protect them from abrasion or dehydration. The scales on the top and sides of the snake are smaller and thinner than those found on the belly side. The thick, large scales on the belly are called "scutes," and they help to protect and support the tissues that are in contact with the ground. The scales can be very colorful and organized into interesting patterns. Unlike most other animals, there is no way to tell a male from a female based on color, as they will almost always look the same externally.
Though snakes are often described as being "slimy," their skin is actually very dry, In fact, they only have two skin glands - a pair of anal scent glands that secrete a substance used to attract a mate, provide protection from predators, and mark territory. Unlike other animals, snakes continue to grow until the day they die. Consequently, snakes periodically shed their skin in a process called "ecdysis." Before shedding the skin, the snake takes on a slightly bluish hue and the eyes appear cloudy. This is caused by fluid located between the layers of skin. Mites, malnutrition, and trauma, among other things, may cause dysecdysis, or abnormal shedding.
Which is the longest snake on earth?
It is the Reticulated Python. Adults can grow to a length of more than 32.6 feet and are the world's longest snakes. However, they are relatively slim for their length and are certainly not the most heavily built.
How does a desert snake protect themselves?
Snakes protect themselves by blending in with there background and when in danger strikes its victim. Depending on the snake it will either sinks its teeth into you and insert poison on strangle you to death.
Do mother snakes care for their young?
Many reptiles don't bother. They simply lay the eggs and cover them over with earth - then abandon them to hatch on their own. Some snakes (especially venomous species) coil around the clutch or stay nearby - to 'guard' the developing babies. Crocodiles and alligators also guard their 'nest' against predators.
Where does the Black Rat snake live?
Black rat snakes are native to North America and can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands, and farmland. They are commonly found in the eastern United States from New England to Florida and as far west as Texas. Black rat snakes are expert climbers and are often found in trees or among rocks and brush.
What does a sidewinder look like?
A Sidewinder Rattlesnake is a foot or two long and is tan or brown in color with dark patches. You can tell it is a Sidewinder by looking at its head. They have raised scales about their eyes that look like horns.
What is the life span of a lesser antillean thread snake?
The lesser Antillean thread snake has a lifespan of around 5-7 years in the wild. It is a relatively short-lived species compared to other snakes.
There is two different ways they drink.
1. They can put their nose in the water and take small drinks
2. They can lick the water with there tongue (the most common way)
EDIT: Sorry - but snakes do NOT 'lick the water with there tongue' - They will flick out their tongue to locate a water source, but they do NOT 'lick' water like a dog or cat would !
They cannot regulate their own temperature like mammals can. Therefore - they 'bask' in direct sunlight to raise their body temperature to a working level. If they get too hot, they find a shaded place so they can cool down.
A snake has to swallow things whole because it can not chew true or false?
True. Snakes lack the ability to chew their food due to their unique jaw structure, which limits their ability to break down prey into smaller pieces. Instead, they must swallow their prey whole, aided by their flexible jaws and powerful muscles.
What does a pine snake look like?
A pine snake is a large, non-venomous snake with a thick body and a pointed head. They have a yellowish-tan body with dark blotches running down their back. Their scales are keeled, giving them a rough texture.
Do you mean Venomous? And it depends greatly on the species. Some species, while not known to have ever produced human fatalities, have venom that can produce extreme discomfort over a period of several days. While others are absolutely harmless, to people anyway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula
Are king snakes found in Colorado?
Yes, king snakes are found in Colorado. The common king snake (Lampropeltis getula) is known to inhabit various regions across the state, including grasslands, forests, and canyons. King snakes are non-venomous and play an important role in controlling rodent populations in their natural habitat.
Snakes will seek out shelter to have a place to rest, breed, and hunt. Common places snakes are found include overgrown grass, dense brush or shrubs, leaf piles, rock piles, compost, or areas with moisture like underneath bird baths, around leaky faucets and hoses, or near ponds or swimming pools. I also have a video that will give you more insight about snakes habitat, click on the link to watch the video.
Snake Habitat
Are king snakes located in salisbury MD?
Yes, king snakes can be found in Salisbury, MD. They are native to the area and are commonly seen in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and along the edges of wetlands. King snakes are non-venomous and play a crucial role in controlling rodent populations.
What are the enemies of a coral snake?
The main enemies of a coral snake are predators such as birds of prey, snakes, and mammals like raccoons and opossums. Habitat destruction and human activities also pose threats to coral snake populations.
Keep snakes out of chicken cupe?
To keep snakes out of a chicken coop, make sure the coop is tightly sealed with no gaps or holes for snakes to slither through. Clear away any debris or clutter near the coop where snakes could hide. You can also use snake repellents or set up snake traps around the perimeter of the coop to deter them from entering. Regularly inspect the coop for signs of snakes and remove them promptly if found.
How did Waglers Pit Viper adapt to the rainforest?
Wagler's pit viper has adapted to the rainforest by evolving a heat-sensing pit organ on its head to help detect prey in low light conditions. Its cryptic coloration blends with the forest floor, providing camouflage from predators. These snakes are also arboreal, spending much of their time in the trees to access prey and avoid ground-based threats.
Leptotyphlops carlae is the scientific name for the Barbados threadsnake, which is considered the world's smallest snake species. It was discovered in Barbados and is characterized by its slender, worm-like appearance. The snake usually measures around 10 cm in length.
