Today there are more than 3000 species of snakes in the world slithering across every continent except Antarctica. But how long have these scaly reptiles been on Earth?
The first snakes probably evolved from lizards during the Cretaceous period between 144 and 66 million years ago. But the fossil record is very incomplete and it’s difficult to tell when the first snakes appeared. The oldest known snake fossils come from two species: Eophis underwoodi and Sanajeh indicus.
Eophis underwoodi was a small snake no more than 30 centimeters (12 inches) long. It lived in what is now England during the Early Cretaceous period about 140 million years ago. This snake had many lizard-like features including limbs and claws.
Sanajeh indicus was a much larger snake up to 3 meters (10 feet) long. It lived in what is now India during the Late Cretaceous period about 100 million years ago. This snake had a long narrow snout and its teeth were specialized for crushing eggshells.
It’s likely that there were other earlier snakes that have not been preserved in the fossil record. The first snakes probably lived in warm humid climates where they could find plenty of food and shelter.
Today snakes can be found in a wide variety of habitats from the deserts of Africa to the rainforests of South America. They have adapted to life in the water in the trees and on the ground. Some snakes such as the boa constrictor can even fly!
snakes are predators and they have adapted to suit their lifestyle. Most snakes are carnivores and they use their sharp teeth and long tongues to catch prey. Some snakes such as the python constrict their prey to suffocate it. Other snakes such as the cobra are venomous and use their venom to kill prey or defend themselves.
Snakes are fascinating creatures and they have been around for a very long time. With such a wide variety of shapes sizes and colors there is sure to be a snake to suit everyone’s taste!
How long have snakes been on Earth?
Answer 1: They first appeared during the Cretaceous period between 144 and 66 million years ago.
How many species of snakes are there?
Answer 2: 3700 different species have been identified so far.
What is the smallest snake in the world?
Answer 3: The Barbados threadsnake or Trichobinia testudinaria which is less than 10 cm (4 in) long when fully grown.
What is the largest snake in the world?
Answer 4: The reticulated python which can grow to be 10-20 feet (3-6 m) long.
How do snakes move?
Answer 5: They use a combination of undulating their body and moving their belly scales to move forward.
What do snakes eat?
Answer 6: They eat small mammals reptiles birds and eggs.
How do snakes kill their prey?
Answer 7: They constrict their prey which cuts off the flow of blood and oxygen causing the animal to die.
How do snakes drink water?
Answer 8: They either absorb water through their skin or swallow it whole.
How do snakes breathe?
Answer 9: They have special ribs that allow them to expand their lungs to take in air.
What is the lifespan of a snake?
Answer 10: It depends on the species but most snakes live 10-20 years.
Do all snakes lay eggs?
Answer 11: No some species of snakes give birth to live young.
How many eggs do snakes usually lay?
Answer 12: It again depends on the species but most snakes lay between 2 and 50 eggs at a time.
Do snakes have venom?
Answer 13: Yes some snakes have venom that they use to kill their prey or defend themselves.
How many fangs does a snake have?
Answer 14: It depends on the species but most snakes have between 2 and 6 fangs.
What is the most venomous snake in the world?
Answer 15: The inland taipan which has enough venom to kill 100 adult men with one bite.
