Facts about Snakes

Facts about Snakes

1. Few native animals are more disliked or more misunderstood than snakes. Most of them are not poisonous, and many are beneficial due to the number of rodents and insects they eat. Their jaws are hinged and they can swallow objects larger than the diameter of the snake.

2. The facial pits that give pit vipers their name are so sensitive to heat perception that using them together, pit vipers can locate and accurately strike warm-blooded prey or enemies even in total darkness.

3. A rattlesnake's age is not counted by the number of rattles.  More than one rattle is formed annually and the others break off after a time.

4. Snakes continue to grow as long as they live.

5. They do not have to be coiled in order to strike and can bite from almost any position.

6. Rattlesnakes do not always rattle before striking, nor always strike after rattling.

7. The distance of a strike is usually not more than one-third to one-half the snake's length.

8. Venomous snakes can be killed by their own venom, by that of others of their own kind, or by venom of different kinds of snakes.  However, they are probably so resistant to venom that it takes large amounts to kill them.

9. The effect of venom on harmless snakes is similar to its action on poisonous ones.

10. Venomous snakes do not crossbreed with harmless ones.

11. King snakes have been killed by bites of venomous snakes and by experimental injections of venoms.

12. Snakes are called "cold-blooded" animals because their temperature varies with that of their surroundings, and adjusts very closely to the temperature of their environment.

13. Some snakes lay eggs, while others give birth to fully developed young whom hatch from eggs retained within the female's body.  Size of brood and number of eggs vary among species and individuals of the same species.  The young of poisonous snakes are equipped with fangs and poison glands at birth.

14. Snakes store food in the form of fat in the body cavity, and being cold blooded and relatively sluggish, they use this food reserve slowly.

15. Large snakes have lived for three or four years without eating.

16. They do require water, which they drink by submerging their mouths and sucking.

17. Snakes are not actually slimy, but may appear so due to the closely-set scales.

18. They have no sweat glands and are dry-bodied animals.

19. They have no movable eyelids but the eyes are protected by a transparent covering which is shed with the skin.

20. Snakes have no external ears and are probably deaf to most sounds.However, they are sensitive to ground vibrations.

21. The tip of a snake's tongue is not poison fangs but actually contain taste buds by which it "tastes" odors in the air.  It also serves as an organ of touch.

22. Snakes shed their skins periodically by casting off the outermost layer which is replaced by new growth.  Sloughing begins around the head, and the snake literally crawls out of the old skin.

23. The idea that rattlesnakes will not cross a horsehair or manila rope is false.

24. To guard against a snake bite, watch where you walk.  Wear protective clothing.

25. Do not put your hands where you can't see and avoid handling venomous snakes.