Sunday, November 18, 2012

A Brief Introduction to Snakes

By Paul Hill


Snakes are carnivorous reptiles and their elongated body shape makes them unmistakeable throughout the animal kingdom. With almost 3,500 various species, snakes can be found on every single continent besides Antarctica and can range from anywhere between 10 centimetres and nearly 9 metres in length. The smallest acknowledged kind of snake is the Thread snake and the lengthiest is the Reticulated Python.

The origin of the snake is a relatively contentious issue but there are 2 leading ideas. The primary idea is that the snake evolved from burrowing lizards; the elongated physique progressed for the purpose of streamlined travel underground. The 2nd idea sees the snake develop from aquatic lizards and finally relocate on land. Regardless of what the truth may be, it appears to have been lost over time yet there are several physiological features of present day snakes which seem to support both theories.

All snakes are carnivorous with numerous species exhibiting cannibalistic behaviour. Although there are a large number of various types of snake, there are 2 primary techniques used to kill prey. It is a common misunderstanding that all snakes are venomous, in actual fact; only 10-15% of snakes are venomous and eliminate their victim by administering venom though biting. A more popular method of killing among snakes is constriction; by wrapping themselves tightly about their prey they're able to limit breathing and immobilise their target.

Irrespective of the killing method used by snakes, the means of consumption is almost identical. Specially evolved jaws are able to dislocate and allow the snake to eat their prey whole. Snakes have the ability to consume prey far larger than themselves and it is typical for them to continue digestion for several days, even weeks.

One of the most symbolic characteristic of the snake is the fork tongue, not merely for aesthetics, the fork tongue is used to detect chemical modifications in the atmosphere and communicate the information into the jacobson's organ. This process can pick up on the presence of both predators and prey and is the snake's primary method of navigation.

Snakes and human beings have a somewhat love hate relationship. While there are millions around the globe who are scared of snakes, there are also millions who keep them as pets at home in specialist environments called vivariums. Predominantly through misunderstandings and dramatisation the snake has become the subject of nightmares for lots of people;although their fierce reputation maybe fairly unjust, venomous snakes claim the lives of thousands of people on a yearly basis. The most venomous snake on land is the Inland Taipan and each snake carries enough venom to kill over 100 human beings.




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