World Snake Day on July 16th urges increased awareness of the wide variety of species around the world. With around 3,500 species, finding a snake that fascinates you or that was unknown to you previously won’t be difficult.
Among the 3,500 species, only about 600 are venomous. However, according to the World Health Organization, only about 200 of those pose a significant risk to human life.
The world’s smallest snake is the Barbados thread snake. This serpent is smaller than a nightcrawler at about 4 inches. In comparison, the longest snake is the reticulated python, and the heaviest is the green anaconda. One distinctive viper, the atheris hispida – a bush viper – jumps out of fantasy books with its scaled head. Did the viper inspire fire breathing dragons?
Other snakes are brilliantly colored. Vibrant reds, yellows, blues, and oranges populate the snake world. From the green tree python whose color ranges from green to red and brown and the banded sea krait that looks like it came out of the Beetlejuice movie, it’s a rainbow-colored world.
Snake Facts
- Only 1/8 of the known species are venomous.
- Their upper and lower jaw separate to allow snakes to consume prey up to three times larger than the diameter of their head.
- Snakes eat their prey whole.
- Most snakes are nocturnal.
- Their tongue is used to smell their air.
- Snakes are cold-blooded, or ectotherms, and must sun themselves to regulate their body temperatures.
- While most snakes lay eggs, some give live birth.
- From anti-tumor treatments to antibacterial properties, snake venom has been studied for medical purposes for many years.
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