SNAKES

Facts about Snakes

About Snakes

ü Out of about 3,000 species of snakes, only about 350 have venom that is dangerous to humans.

ü Snakes are the deadliest animal on earth, killing over 100,000 people each year.

ü Some snakes can reach a length of about 36 feet (11 meters).

Snake Senses

ü Snakes smell with their tongue. Smell is their strong sense.

ü The snake’s forked tongue allows the snake to know the direction of the smell.

ü Snakes are deaf—but they can sense sound vibrations.

ü Snakes have poor eyesight.

Eating

ü Snakes do not chew; they swallow their prey as a whole (frogs, rats, birds, etc.).

ü Snakes use their front fangs to hold (not chew) their prey.

ü The upper and bottom jaws of a snake are not connected, enabling the snake’s mouth to be flexible enough to open wide and swallow large prey. A snake can swallow prey that is 4 times the width of its head.

Reproduction

ü Some snake species reproduce by laying eggs; others reproduce by keeping fertilized eggs inside them and delivering the baby snakes after the eggs hatch within the body.

Snake Venom

ü A venomous snake usually has a broader head that bulges out behind the eyes where the snake stores its venom. Venomous snakes store their venom in glands located next to each eye.

ü Snake venom is made out of a variety of enzymes and proteins.

ü Most snakes spread their venoms through biting. However, a few, such as cobras, can spit their venom at a target about 5-7 feet away. Snake venom does not hurt the skin—its poison could hurt eyes or open wounds.