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Snakes are a large group of reptiles; there are over 2,000 different species of
snakes alive today.
Snakes live in a variety of land and water habitats. The most snakes and the
largest snakes are found in tropical rainforests.
Snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica. There
are no snakes native to Hawaii, Iceland, Ireland, or New Zealand.
Anatomy:
Snakes have a long, narrow body and scaly skin. They have no
eyelids, no external ear openings, and no legs (although a few snakes, like boas
and pythons, have vestigial hind legs). As they grow, snakes shed their old skin
and the film that covers their eyes. Like other reptiles, snakes are
cold-blooded.
Diet:
Snakes are carnivores (meat-eaters). They eat rodents and other
mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians,insects,
and eggs. Some snakes (like cobras, vipers, and rattlesnakes) are venomous and
kill (or paralyze) their prey by injecting poison through hollow fangs. Some
snakes (like boas and the anaconda) kill their prey by squeezing it to death.
Snakes do not chew their food or even bite it into pieces; snakes swallow their
food whole. Other snakes just catch their food and swallow it.
Reproduction:
Some snakes reproduce by laying eggs; other snakes give
birth to live young.
Various Kinds of Snakes:
Slithering Snakes
Python