Do snakes smell like skunks? It’s a question that has been asked by many people and it’s one that snake experts can answer.
“Generally speaking snakes don’t have a strong odor” said Tony Glausi curator of herpetology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. “But there are a couple of species that produce a musky scent from glands near the tail that can be pretty strong.”
One of those species is the eastern milk snake which is found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. When milk snakes are threatened they sometimes release a smelly liquid from their anal glands.
“The odor is sort of a cross between a skunk and a rotten egg” Glausi said.
But not all snakes that smell like skunks are milk snakes. One of the most common snake species in the United States the common garter snake also can release a foul-smelling liquid when it feels threatened.
“Garter snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes because they will vibrate their tails when they’re scared” Glausi said. “And when they do that they sometimes release a smelly fluid from their anal glands.”
So do all snakes that smell like skunks release a smelly fluid from their anal glands when they’re scared?
“No not all of them” Glausi said. “There are some species of snakes like the eastern hognose snake that will play dead when they’re scared. And when they play dead they sometimes release a foul-smelling fluid from their anal glands.”
So there you have it. Not all snakes that smell like skunks release a smelly fluid from their anal glands when they’re scared but some of them do.
Do snakes smell like skunks?
No snakes do not smell like skunks.
What does a snake use its tongue for?
A snake uses its tongue for smelling and tasting.
What is the biggest snake in the world?
The reticulated python is the biggest snake in the world.
What is the smallest snake in the world?
The thread snake is the smallest snake in the world.
How many species of snakes are there?
There are over 3000 species of snakes.
Where do snakes live?
Snakes live on every continent except for Antarctica.
What do snakes eat?
Snakes eat a variety of things including reptiles mammals fish birds and amphibians.
How do snakes kill their prey?
Snakes kill their prey by constricting them which cuts off the prey’s blood supply and makes them suffocate.
What is the difference between venomous and poisonous snakes?
Venomous snakes have fangs and poison glands and they inject their venom into their prey.
Poisonous snakes do not have fangs and they simply release their poison when they are threatened.
Which snake has the most venom?
The inland taipan has the most venom of any snake.
What is the difference between a snake and a serpent?
A snake is a reptile that lacks legs while a serpent is a snake that has legs.
How long do snakes usually live?
Snakes usually live for 10-25 years.
Do all snakes shed their skin?
All snakes shed their skin.
How often do snakes shed their skin?
Snakes shed their skin about once a month.
What does the shed skin of a snake look like?
The shed skin of a snake looks like a hollowed-out tube.
