WORLD OF SNAKES
There are more than 3,000 species of snakes in this world and Almost all snakes are covered in scales and as reptiles, they’re cold blooded and must regulate their body temperature externally. They live without limbs, survive in a wide range of habitats throughout the world and come in all colors and sizes. The smallest, the Barbados thread snake, is just 10cm long.
Species
There have been several species of snakes discovered that are mostly scale less, but even those have scales on their bellies. Unlike most animals, a snake’s skin doesn’t grow along with them. Therefore, to grow, they shed their skin and produce more. About once a month snakes shed their skin, a process called ecdysis that makes room for growth and gets rid of parasites. Most snakes live on land, but there are about 70 species of snakes that live in the oceans. They’re shy, gentle, and their fangs are too short to do much damage.
Breeding
Most snakes lay eggs, but some species, like sea snakes, give live birth to young. Very few snakes pay any attention to their eggs, with the exception of pythons, which incubate their eggs. All snakes lack external limbs, but not all legless reptiles are snakes. Most snakes like to sit and wait for prey to come along. Only a few species actively hunt for their dinner.
Once they find their prey, some inject venom while others use constriction to squeeze their prey to death. All snakes are predators, but venomous snakes that is, biting snakes that use their fangs to inject toxins into their victims. Hundreds of thousands of live snakes are collected for sale in the international pet trade. Most snakes do not spend much of their time doing anything but resting. A snake’s primary activity is concerned with finding live food. snakes living in colder climates hibernate in winter and come out in summer when they can use the suns heat to keep warm.
Attack on humans
It is true that some species of snake are venomous and capable of killing humans, the majority are harmless. Snakes do not ordinarily prey on humans. Unless startled or injured, most snakes prefer to avoid contact and will not attack humans. They are not all venomous, though. Most are harmless. Only around 600 species are venomous and, far fewer can hurt humans. Snakes, like other reptiles, are cold-blooded. This means that their body temperature changes according to their environment, unlike warm-blooded animals, like us. Our temperature remains constant regardless of the weather outside.
Metabolism
snakes have a slow metabolism, they don’t have to eat as often as other animals, but when they do eat, they eat big! They can open their jaws far wider than we can, and eat prey much bigger than themselves. They can’t bite their food though, so swallow it whole and use inward-facing teeth to hold prey. Once they have swallowed their prey, it can take days to weeks to fully digest it.
The snake will often flatten its body to create a cobra-like hood. In some cases, it might even roll over on its back and open its mouth to feign death! This behavior is a defense mechanism to ward off predators.
Pet snakes
There are some of the best pet snakes because they can live comfortably in relatively small terrariums. Not only that, but males and females can cohabitate without any issues. But be warned: This will lead to breeding.
Diet or food
All snakes are predators. Many species have highly specialized diets. Some burrow into soil and feed on worms and insects while others exclusively seek out eggs or snails. Snakes also may prey on fishes, birds, small mammals, amphibians, large invertebrates, and even other reptiles, including other snakes.
Life span
Life span is 10 to 40 years, but it depends on species.
some pet snakes...
Corn snake
Corn snakes only reach lengths of three to five feet when fully matured. Some may get slightly bigger, but the species is on the smaller side compared to other popular snakes.
Milk snake
Milk snakes are another brightly colored pet snake species that can add tons of beauty to the right enclosure. Typically, they have stripes of red, black, and yellowish-orange. However, several color morphs do exist.
Children’s Python
The Children’s python is a smaller alternative to other popular python species. Sometimes referred to as the mini python, these stay around 36 to 40 inches long.
African House Snake
The African house snake might not be as colorful as some other species. But it makes an excellent pet all the same.
Rough Green Snake
The rough green snake is one of the most accessible types of pet snakes on the market. The snakes are sold at a very low price.
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