A snake lives in a hole in the ground. It is a cold-blooded creature so it needs the sun to warm its body. The snake is a predator and it eats small animals such as rodents and birds. It is also a very good swimmer.
The snake is a very popular symbol in many cultures. In ancient Egypt the snake was associated with the sun god Ra. In Greek mythology the snake was the symbol of the god Dionysus. In Christianity the snake is often seen as a symbol of evil such as in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica. They come in many different sizes from the very small threadsnake to the large king cobra. The king cobra is the largest snake in the world and it can grow up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) long!
How long can a snake live?
20 to 30 years
What do snakes eat?
Small mammals such as rodents lizards and birds
Where do snakes live?
In warm climates all over the world including North and South America Africa Asia and Australia
How many snake species are venomous?
About 3000 of the approximately 3500 snake species are venomous
What is the biggest snake in the world?
The longest snake in captivity is a reticulated python named Medusa that resides at The Edge of Hell Haunted House in Kansas City Missouri.
Medusa is 24 feet (7.
3 m) long
What is the smallest snake in the world?
The smallest snake in the world is the thread snake.
It grows to be about 4 inches (10 cm) long
What is the fastest snake in the world?
The black mamba is the fastest snake in the world capable of speeds of up to 12.
5 miles per hour (20 km/h)
How do snakes move?
Most snakes move by slithering on their bellies.
They contract their muscles on one side of their bodies causing their bellies to move sideways in a wave-like motion.
This allows them to slither forward while using very little energy
What do baby snakes look like?
Baby snakes look like miniature versions of their adult counterparts.
They hatch from eggs and are typically about 10 inches (25 cm) long
Are all snakes equal?
No snakes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
The largest snakes such as the anaconda and the reticulated python can grow to be over 30 feet (9 m) long.
The smallest snakes such as the thread snake and blind snake are only a few inches long
What is the difference between a venomous snake and a poisonous snake?
A venomous snake is one that has a pair of long sharp fangs that it uses to inject venom into its prey.
A poisonous snake on the other hand is one that produces venom in its body but does not have fangs and therefore cannot inject its venom into prey
How does a venomous snake kill its prey?
Venomous snakes kill their prey by injecting them with venom which is a poisonous substance that breaks down the victim’s tissue and causes paralysis or death
What is the difference between a constrictor snake and a non-constrictor snake?
A constrictor snake is one that kills its prey by wrapping its body around it and squeezing it until it suffocates.
A non-constrictor snake on the other hand does not kill its prey in this manner
What do snakes use their tongues for?
Snakes use their tongues to sense the environment around them.
The tongue picks up chemical particles in the air and brings them back to the snake’s Jacobson’s organ which is located in the roof of its mouth.
This allows the snake to “taste” the air and learn about its surroundings
How do snakes shed their skin?
Snakes shed their skin by rubbing against a rough surface such as a rock or a piece of bark.
This causes the old skin to peel off in one piece
