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 Spotted Python
Antaresia maculosa |
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A snake is an elongate reptile of the suborder Serpentes. The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of The Holocene is a Geological epoch which began approximately 10000 years ago (about 8000 BC Common names spotted python Antaresia maculosa is a non-venomous python Species found in northern Australia Chordates ( Phylum Chordata) are a group of Animals that includes the Vertebrates together with several closely related Invertebrates Vertebrates are members of the Subphylum Vertebrata, Chordates with backbones or spinal columns The grouping sometimes includes Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers Diapsids ("two arches" are a group of Reptiles that developed two holes ( Temporal fenestra) in each side of their Skulls about 300 Million Lepidosauromorpha is a group of Reptiles comprising all Diapsids closer to Lizards than to Archosaurs (including Crocodiles and The Lepidosauria are Reptiles with overlapping scales They include the Tuataras Lizards Snakes and Amphisbaenians Lepidosaurians Squamata (scaled reptiles is the largest recent order of Reptiles including Lizards and Snakes Members of the order are distinguished by Carl Linnaeus (Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as, May 23 new style (13 May old style 1707 who laid the foundations for Year 1758 ( MDCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common This article is about the taxonomic rank for the sequence of species in a taxonomic list see Taxonomic order In scientific classification used In Biological classification, family ( Latin Common names advanced snakes The Alethinophidia are an Infraorder of Snakes that includes all snakes other than blind Baron Franz Nopcsa von Felső-Szilvás (also Baron Nopcsa von Felsö-Szilvás, Baron Nopcsa, Ferenc Nopcsa, Nopcsa Ferenc, Baron Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Common names wart snakes Java wart snakes file snakes more. The Acrochordidae are a Monotypic family |style="width40%"| Charles Lucien (Carlo Jules Laurent Bonaparte 2nd Prince of Canino and Musignano ( May 24, 1803 &ndash July 29, 1857) was a French Year 1831 ( MDCCCXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common names false coral snake pipe snake The Aniliidae are a Monotypic family that contains the Species Leonhard Hess Stejneger ( October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a Zoologist. Year 1907 ( MCMVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Common names dwarf pipe snakes The Anomochilidae, or anomochilids are a Monotypic family created for the genus Common names Mole vipers stiletto snakes burrowing asps The Atractaspididae are a family of venomous Snakes Albrecht Karl Ludwig Gotthilf Günther FRS (also Albert Charles Lewis Gotthilf Gunther) October 3, 1830 – February 1 Year 1858 ( MDCCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Boa Kwon (born November 5, 1986) have contributed to her commercial success in South Korea and Japan and her popularity throughout Asia John Edward Gray ( 12 February 1800 &ndash 7 March 1875) was a British zoologist. Year 1825 ( MDCCCXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Common names Mauritius snakes Round Island boas splitjaw snakes Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake is a Snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. Nicolaus Michael Oppel ( December 7, 1782 &ndash February 16, 1820) was a German naturalist. Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Common names Asian pipe snakes The Cylindrophiidae are a Monotypic family Geographic range Found from Leopold Joseph Franz Johann Fitzinger ( April 13, 1802 - September 20, 1884) was an Austrian Zoologist. Year 1843 ( MDCCCXLIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common The Elapidae, or elapids are a Family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world including the Indian Ocean and Friedrich Boie ( 4 June 1789 &ndash 3 March 1870) was a German scientist and brother of Heinrich Boie. Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Common names Mexican python Mexican burrowing python Mexican burrowing snake Edward Drinker Cope (July 28 1840&ndashApril 12 1897 was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Common names pythons The Pythonidae are a family of non- Venomous Snakes found in Africa, Asia Leopold Joseph Franz Johann Fitzinger ( April 13, 1802 - September 20, 1884) was an Austrian Zoologist. For the game see 1826 (board game. Year 1826 ( MDCCCXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display Common names dwarf boas The Tropidophiinae are a family of Snakes found from Mexico and the West Indies Leo Daniel Brongersma ( May 17, 1907, North Holland – July 24, 1994, Leiden) was a Dutch Zoologist Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January Common names pipe snakes shield-tailed snakes The Uropeltidae are a family of primitive burrowing Snakes found in southern Johannes Peter Müller ( July 14, 1801 &ndash April 28, 1858) was a German Physiologist, comparative anatomist The Viperidae are a family of Venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from Nicolaus Michael Oppel ( December 7, 1782 &ndash February 16, 1820) was a German naturalist. Year 1811 ( MDCCCXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Common names sunbeam snakes The Xenopeltidae are a Monotypic family of Snakes created to the Genus Charles Lucien (Carlo Jules Laurent Bonaparte 2nd Prince of Canino and Musignano ( May 24, 1803 &ndash July 29, 1857) was a French Year 1845 ( MDCCCXLV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Common names blind snakes thread snakes The Scolecophidia are an Infraorder Currently 3 families and 12 genera are recognized Edward Drinker Cope (July 28 1840&ndashApril 12 1897 was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Common names primitive blind snakes dawn blind snakes The Anomalepididae are a family of non-venomous Snakes found in Edward Harrison Taylor ( April 23, 1889 – June 16 1978) was an American Herpetologist from Kansas. Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Common names slender blind snakes thread snakes The Leptotyphlopidae are a family of Snakes found in North Leonhard Hess Stejneger ( October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a Zoologist. Year 1892 ( MDCCCXCII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Common names typical blind snakes The Typhlopidae are a family of blind Snakes They are found mostly in the tropical Blasius Merrem ( February 4, 1761 - February 23, 1824) was a German naturalist. Year 1820 ( MDCCCXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers Like all reptiles, snakes are covered in scales. In most biological nomenclature a scale ( Greek lepid, Latin squama) is a small rigid plate that grows out of an Animal All snakes are carnivorous and can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids, limbs, external ears, and vestiges of forelimbs. A carnivore (ˈkɑrnɪvɔər meaning 'meat eater' ( Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour' is any animal with a diet consisting Many Vertebrates have evolved limbless forms Reptiles have on a number of occasions evolved into limbless forms - Snakes Amphisbaenia, and legless The 2,700+ species of snakes spread across every continent except Antarctica ranging in size from the tiny, 10 cm long thread snake to pythons and anacondas over 5 m long. Common names thread snake Leptotyphlops bilineatus is a harmless blind snake Species found in the Lesser Common names pythons The Pythonidae are a family of non- Venomous Snakes found in Africa, Asia Eunectes is a Genus of non-venomous boas found in tropical South America, commonly called anacondas. In order to accommodate snakes' narrow bodies, paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side. The snake is one of the most feared animals because of its association with evil and the common misconception that all snakes are venomous.
While venomous snakes comprise a minority of the species, some possess potent venom capable of causing painful injury or death to humans. However, venom in snakes is primarily for killing and subduing prey rather than for self-defense. Snakes may have evolved from a lizard which adapted to burrowing during the Cretaceous period (c 150 Ma), though some scientists have postulated an aquatic origin. The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of Annum is one form of the Latin noun meaning Year, not a form normally used for derivatives in modern languages the accusative singular The diversity of modern snakes appeared during the Paleocene period (c 66 to 56 Ma). The Paleocene or Palaeocene, "early dawn of the recent" is a geologic epoch that lasted from 65
A literary word for snake is serpent (a Middle English word which comes from Old French, and ultimately from *serp-, "to creep"[1]). Middle English is the name given by Historical linguistics to the diverse forms of the English language spoken between the Norman invasion of Old French was the Romance Dialect continuum spoken in territories which span roughly the northern half of modern France and parts of modern Belgium In modern usage, the term serpent usually refers to a mythic or symbolic snake. Serpent is a word of Latin origin (from serpens serpentis "something that creeps snake" that is commonly used in a specifically mythic or In Christianity, the serpent is sometimes identified with the devil, as in the Biblical account of Adam and Eve, but also with healing, as in the Biblical account of the brass serpent of Moses. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Adam (אָדָם ʼĀḏām, "dust man mankind" آدم; Ge'ez: አዳ and Eve (חַוָּה Ḥawwā, "living The serpent is also the symbol of the healing arts.
Contents |
Introduction
All snakes are strictly carnivorous, eating small animals including lizards, other snakes, small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, snails or insects. A carnivore (ˈkɑrnɪvɔər meaning 'meat eater' ( Latin carne meaning 'flesh' and vorare meaning 'to devour' is any animal with a diet consisting In most Birds and Reptiles an egg ( Latin ovum) is the Zygote, resulting from Fertilization of the Ovum. [2][3][4] Because snakes cannot bite or tear their food to pieces, prey must be swallowed whole. The body size of a snake has a major influence on its eating habits. Smaller snakes eat smaller prey. Juvenile pythons might start out feeding on lizards or mice and graduate to small deer or antelope as an adult, for example.
The snake's jaw is the most unique jaw in the animal kingdom. The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming or near the entrance to the Mouth. Contrary to the popular belief that snakes can dislocate their jaws, snakes have a very flexible lower jaw, the two halves of which are not rigidly attached, and numerous other joints in their skull (see snake skull), allowing them to open their mouths wide enough to swallow their prey whole, even if it is larger in diameter than the snake itself,[3] as snakes do not chew. The mandible (from Latin mandibula, "jawbone" or inferior maxillary bone forms the lower Jaw and holds the lower teeth in place The skull of a Snake is a very complex and highly evolved structure with numerous joints to allow the snake to swallow prey far bigger than its head For example, the African Egg-eating Snake has flexible jaws adapted for eating eggs much larger than the diameter of its head. Dasypeltis is a Genus of Colubrid Snakes It is one of only two taxonomic groups of snakes known to have adapted to feed exclusively [4] This snake has no teeth, but does have bony protrusions on the inside edge of its spine which are used to aid in breaking the shells of the eggs it eats. In Human anatomy, the vertebral column ( backbone or spine) is a column of 34 Vertebrae the Sacrum, Intervertebral [4]
While the majority of snakes eat a variety of prey animals, there is some specialization by some species. King cobras and the Australian Bandy-bandy consume other snakes. The King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous Snake, with a length that can be as large as 5 Pareas iwesakii and other snail-eating Colubrids of subfamily Pareatinae have more teeth on the right side of their mouths than on the left, as the shells of their prey usually spiral clockwise[5][6]
Some snakes have a venomous bite, which they use to kill their prey before eating it. The word snail is a Common name that can be used for almost all members of the Molluscan class Gastropoda which have coiled shells in the A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake is a Snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. Pareatinae is a small Subfamily of the Colubridae family of Snakes It encompasses a mere 3 genera, which include snakes that [7][3] Other snakes kill their prey by constriction. Snakes Constriction is a method used by various Snake Species to kill their prey. [3] Still others swallow their prey whole and alive. [3][4]
After eating, snakes become dormant while the process of digestion takes place. Dasypeltis is a Genus of Colubrid Snakes It is one of only two taxonomic groups of snakes known to have adapted to feed exclusively Digestion is the breaking down of chemicals in the body into a form that can be absorbed [8] Digestion is an intense activity, especially after consumption of very large prey. In species that feed only sporadically, the entire intestine enters a reduced state between meals to conserve energy, and the digestive system is 'up-regulated' to full capacity within 48 hours of prey consumption. In Anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the Stomach to the Anus and in humans and other mammals consists Being cold-blooded (ectothermic), the surrounding temperature plays a large role in a snake's digestion. 30 degrees celsius is the ideal temperature for snakes to digest their food. The Celsius Temperature scale was previously known as the centigrade scale. So much metabolic energy is involved in a snake's digestion that in Crotalus durissus, the Mexican rattlesnake, an increase of body temperature to as much as 1. Metabolism is the set of Chemical reactions that occur in living Organisms in order to maintain Life. 2 degrees celsius above the surrounding environment has been observed. [9] Because of this, a snake disturbed after having eaten recently will often regurgitate its prey in order to be able to escape the perceived threat. Vomiting (also called throwing up, emesis) is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's Stomach through the Mouth and sometimes the When undisturbed, the digestive process is highly efficient, with the snake's digestive enzymes dissolving and absorbing everything but the prey's hair and claws, which are excreted along with waste. Enzymes are Biomolecules that catalyze ( ie increase the rates of Chemical reactions Almost all enzymes are Proteins Hair is a keratinised protein filament that grows through the epidermis from follicles deep within the Dermis. A claw is a curved pointed appendage found at the end of a toe or finger in most Mammals, Birds, and some Reptiles. Uric acid (or urate) is an Organic compound of Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Hydrogen with the formula C5H4N4O3
Taxonomy
Squamata within the entire suborder Serpentes in Linnean taxonomy. Squamata (scaled reptiles is the largest recent order of Reptiles including Lizards and Snakes Members of the order are distinguished by A class is the Taxonomic rank in the Biological classification of organisms in Biology below phylum and above order. Linnaean taxonomy is a method of classifying living things originally devised by (and named for Carolus Linnaeus, although it has changed considerably since his time [10] There are two infraorders of Serpentes: Alethinophidia and Scolecophidia. This article is about the taxonomic rank for the sequence of species in a taxonomic list see Taxonomic order In scientific classification used Common names advanced snakes The Alethinophidia are an Infraorder of Snakes that includes all snakes other than blind Common names blind snakes thread snakes The Scolecophidia are an Infraorder Currently 3 families and 12 genera are recognized [10] This separation is based primarily on morphological characteristics between family groups and mitochondrial DNA. Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the Anatomy of Organisms It is closely related to Evolutionary biology and Phylogeny Mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) is the DNA located in Organelles called mitochondria.
As with most taxonomic classifications, there are many debates when it comes to how many there are. For instance, many sources classify Boidae and Pythonidae as the same family, or keep others, such as Elapidae and Hydrophiidae, separate for practical reasons despite their extremely close relation. Boa Kwon (born November 5, 1986) have contributed to her commercial success in South Korea and Japan and her popularity throughout Asia Common names pythons The Pythonidae are a family of non- Venomous Snakes found in Africa, Asia The Elapidae, or elapids are a Family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world including the Indian Ocean and For sea snakes in mythology and cryptozoology see Sea serpent.
| Alethinophidia 15 families | |||
| Family | Common Names | Example Species | Example Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrochordidae Bonaparte, 1831[11] |
file snakes | Marine File Snake (Acrochordus granulatus) |  |
| Aniliidae Stejneger, 1907[12] |
coral pipe snakes | Burrowing False Coral (Anilius scytale) | |
| Anomochilidae Cundall, Wallach, 1993. Common names advanced snakes The Alethinophidia are an Infraorder of Snakes that includes all snakes other than blind Common names wart snakes Java wart snakes file snakes more. The Acrochordidae are a Monotypic family |style="width40%"| Charles Lucien (Carlo Jules Laurent Bonaparte 2nd Prince of Canino and Musignano ( May 24, 1803 &ndash July 29, 1857) was a French Common names little filesnake marine file snake little wart snake Common names false coral snake pipe snake The Aniliidae are a Monotypic family that contains the Species Leonhard Hess Stejneger ( October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a Zoologist. Common names false coral snake pipe snake The Aniliidae are a Monotypic family that contains the Species Common names dwarf pipe snakes The Anomochilidae, or anomochilids are a Monotypic family created for the genus [13] |
dwarf pipe snakes | Leonard's Pipe Snake, (Anomochilus leonardi) | |
| Atractaspididae Günther, 1858[14] |
mole vipers | Stiletto Snake (Atractaspis bibroni) | |
| Boidae Gray, 1825[11] |
tree boa, Russell's earth boa, red sand boa, Indian python | Amazon tree (Corallus hortulanus,) |  |
| Bolyeriidae Hoffstetter, 1946 |
Round Island boas | Round Island Burrowing Boa (Bolyeria multocarinata) | |
| Colubridae Oppel, 1811[11] |
colubrids, Common wolf snake, yellow spotted wolf snake, common kukri snake, streaked kukri snake, dumeril's black headed snake, buffstriped keel back, green keel back, checkered keel back, trinket snake, Rat snake, cat snake, glossy marsh snake, Indian ribbon snake, common vine snake | Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) | .jpg/100px-Natrix_natrix_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg) |
| Colubridae |
Japanese Rat Snake | Japanese Rat Snake(Elaphe climacophora) |  |
| Cylindrophiidae Fitzinger, 1843 |
Asian pipe snakes | Red-tailed Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis ruffus) |  |
| Elapidae Boie, 1827[11] |
cobras, coral snakes, mambas, kraits, sea snakes, sea kraits, Australian elapids | King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) |  |
| Loxocemidae Cope, 1861 |
Mexican burrowing snakes | Mexican burrowing snake (Loxocemus bicolor) |  |
| Pythonidae Fitzinger, 1826 |
pythons | Ball python/Royal python (Python regius) |  |
| Tropidophiidae Brongersma, 1951 |
dwarf boas | Northern Eyelash Boa (Trachyboa boulengeri) | |
| Uropeltidae Müller, 1832 |
shield-tailed snakes, short-tailed snakes | Ocellated Shield-tail (Uropeltis ocellatus) | |
| Viperidae Oppel, 1811[11] |
vipers, pitvipers, rattlesnakes | European asp (Vipera aspis) |  |
| Xenopeltidae Bonaparte, 1845 |
sunbeam snakes | Sunbeam snake (Xenopeltis unicolor) | |
| Scolecophidia 3 families | |||
| Family | Common Names | Example Species | Example Photo |
| Anomalepidae Taylor, 1939[11] |
dawn blind snakes | Dawn Blind Snake (Liotyphlops beui) | |
| Leptotyphlopidae Stejneger, 1892[11] |
slender blind snakes | Texas Blind Snake (Leptotyphlops dulcis) |  |
| Typhlopidae Merrem, 1820[15] |
blind snakes | Black Blind Snake (Typhlops reticulatus) |
Evolution
Phylogeny of snakes is poorly known because snake skeletons are typically small and fragile, making fossilization uncommon. Common names Leonard's pipe snake Leonard's burrowing snake Anomochilus leonardi is a is a Snake Species Common names Mole vipers stiletto snakes burrowing asps The Atractaspididae are a family of venomous Snakes Albrecht Karl Ludwig Gotthilf Günther FRS (also Albert Charles Lewis Gotthilf Gunther) October 3, 1830 – February 1 Common names burrowing vipers burrowing asps mole vipers more. Boa Kwon (born November 5, 1986) have contributed to her commercial success in South Korea and Japan and her popularity throughout Asia John Edward Gray ( 12 February 1800 &ndash 7 March 1875) was a British zoologist. Common names Mauritius snakes Round Island boas splitjaw snakes Common names Round Island burrowing boa Bolyeria is a Monotypic Genus created for the Species B A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake is a Snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. Nicolaus Michael Oppel ( December 7, 1782 &ndash February 16, 1820) was a German naturalist. This article is about the European Grass Snake or Ringed Snake Natrix natrix A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake is a Snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. The Japanese Rat Snake ( Elaphe climacophora) is a medium sized Snake found throughout the Japanese archipelago (except the far South West Common names Asian pipe snakes The Cylindrophiidae are a Monotypic family Geographic range Found from Leopold Joseph Franz Johann Fitzinger ( April 13, 1802 - September 20, 1884) was an Austrian Zoologist. Common names red-tailed pipe snake Cylindrophis ruffus is a Snake Species found in Southeast Asia The Elapidae, or elapids are a Family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world including the Indian Ocean and Friedrich Boie ( 4 June 1789 &ndash 3 March 1870) was a German scientist and brother of Heinrich Boie. The King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous Snake, with a length that can be as large as 5 Common names Mexican python Mexican burrowing python Mexican burrowing snake Edward Drinker Cope (July 28 1840&ndashApril 12 1897 was an American paleontologist and comparative anatomist, as well as a noted herpetologist Common names Mexican python Mexican burrowing python Mexican burrowing snake Common names pythons The Pythonidae are a family of non- Venomous Snakes found in Africa, Asia Leopold Joseph Franz Johann Fitzinger ( April 13, 1802 - September 20, 1884) was an Austrian Zoologist. Common names royal python ball python Python regius is a non-venomous python Species found in Africa Common names royal python ball python Python regius is a non-venomous python Species found in Africa Common names dwarf boas The Tropidophiinae are a family of Snakes found from Mexico and the West Indies Leo Daniel Brongersma ( May 17, 1907, North Holland – July 24, 1994, Leiden) was a Dutch Zoologist Common names pipe snakes shield-tailed snakes The Uropeltidae are a family of primitive burrowing Snakes found in southern Johannes Peter Müller ( July 14, 1801 &ndash April 28, 1858) was a German Physiologist, comparative anatomist Common names ocellated shieldtail Nilgiri uropeltis Uropeltis ocellata is a non-venomous shield tail snake Species The Viperidae are a family of Venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from Nicolaus Michael Oppel ( December 7, 1782 &ndash February 16, 1820) was a German naturalist. Common names: asp asp viper European asp aspic viper more. Vipera aspis is a venomous viper Common names sunbeam snakes The Xenopeltidae are a Monotypic family of Snakes created to the Genus Charles Lucien (Carlo Jules Laurent Bonaparte 2nd Prince of Canino and Musignano ( May 24, 1803 &ndash July 29, 1857) was a French Common names sunbeam snake Xenopeltis unicolor is a non-venomous sunbeam snake Species found in Southeast Common names blind snakes thread snakes The Scolecophidia are an Infraorder Currently 3 families and 12 genera are recognized Common names primitive blind snakes dawn blind snakes The Anomalepididae are a family of non-venomous Snakes found in Edward Harrison Taylor ( April 23, 1889 – June 16 1978) was an American Herpetologist from Kansas. Common names slender blind snakes thread snakes The Leptotyphlopidae are a family of Snakes found in North Leonhard Hess Stejneger ( October 30, 1851 - February 28, 1943) was a Zoologist. Common names Texas slender blind snake Texas threadsnake more. Common names typical blind snakes The Typhlopidae are a family of blind Snakes They are found mostly in the tropical Blasius Merrem ( February 4, 1761 - February 23, 1824) was a German naturalist. In Biology, the skeleton is a strong and often a rigid framework that supports the body of an animal holding it upright and giving it shape and strength (Also skeletal FOSSIL is a standard protocol for allowing serial communication for Telecommunications programs under the DOS Operating system. However 150 million-year-old specimens readily definable as snakes with lizardlike skeletal structures have been uncovered in South America and Africa. South America is a Continent of the Americas, situated entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a [16] It has been agreed, on the basis of morphology, that snakes descended from lizards. Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in the Anatomy of Organisms It is closely related to Evolutionary biology and Phylogeny Lizards are a large and widespread group of Reptiles of the order Squamata, with nearly 5000 species and ranging across all continents except [2][16] Molecular evidence reinforces this; it is hypothesized that snakes share a common venomous ancestor with several lizard families, forming the Toxicofera clade. Toxicofera (Greek for "those who bear Toxins quot is a hypothetical Clade which represents about 4600 species (nearly 60% of extant
Fossil evidence suggests that snakes may have evolved from burrowing lizards, such as varanids or a similar group during the Cretaceous Period. Monitor lizards are the family Varanidae, a group of carnivorous lizards which includes the largest living lizard the Komodo dragon. The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of [17] An early fossil snake, Najash rionegrina, was a two-legged burrowing animal with a sacrum, and was fully terrestrial. Najash is an Extinct Genus of basal Snake. Like a number of other Cretaceous snakes (see below it had two hind-limbs The sacrum is a large triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the Pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between Terrestrial animals are Animals that live predominantly or entirely on land as compared with Aquatic animals which live predominantly or entirely in the water (e [18] One extant analog of these putative ancestors is the earless monitor Lanthanotus of Borneo, although it also is semi-aquatic. The earless monitor lizard ( Lanthanatus boreneensis) is a semi-aquatic brown lizard native to northern Borneo. Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is located at the centre of Maritime Southeast Asia. An aquatic animal is an Animal which lives in water for most or all of the time [19] As these ancestors became more subterranean, they lost their limbs and their bodies became more streamlined for burrowing. [19] According to this hypothesis, features such as the transparent, fused eyelids (brille) and loss of external ears evolved to combat subterranean conditions such as scratched corneas and dirt in the ears with snakes re-emerged onto the surface of the earth much as they are today. In Optics, transparency (also called pellucidity) is the Material property of allowing The brille (also called the ocular scale, eye cap or spectacle) is the layer of transparent immovable disc-shaped skin or scale covering the eyes [19][17] Other primitive snakes are known to have possessed hindlimbs but lacked a direct connection of the pelvic bones to the vertebrae, including Haasiophis, Pachyrhachis and Eupodophis, which are slightly older than Najash. Haasiophis is an Extinct Genus Snake with hind limbs It one of three genera of Cenomanian snakes with hindlimbs Pachyrhachis is an Extinct Genus of Snake with legs It one of three genera of Cenomanian snakes with hindlimbs Najash is an Extinct Genus of basal Snake. Like a number of other Cretaceous snakes (see below it had two hind-limbs [20]
Primitive groups among the modern snakes, pythons and boas, have vestigial hind limbs: tiny, clawed digits known as anal spurs which are used to grasp during mating. Common names pythons The Pythonidae are a family of non- Venomous Snakes found in Africa, Asia Boa Kwon (born November 5, 1986) have contributed to her commercial success in South Korea and Japan and her popularity throughout Asia Anal spurs are the vestigial remnants of legs found on each side of the vent in primitive Snakes, such as boas and pythons The [20][16] Leptotyphlopidae and Typhlopidae are other examples where remnants of the pelvic girdle are still present, sometimes appearing as horny projections when visible. Common names slender blind snakes thread snakes The Leptotyphlopidae are a family of Snakes found in North Common names typical blind snakes The Typhlopidae are a family of blind Snakes They are found mostly in the tropical The frontal limbs in all snakes are non-existent because of the evolution of the Hox genes in this area. A homeobox is a DNA sequence found within Genes that are involved in the regulation of patterns of development ( Morphogenesis) in Animals The axial skeleton of the snakes' common ancestor had like most other tetrapods the familiar regional specializations consisting of cervical (neck), thoracic (chest), lumbar (lower back), sacral (pelvic) and caudal (tail) vertebrae. The Hox gene expression in the axial skeleton responsible for the development of the thorax became dominant early in snake evolution and as a result, the vertebrae anterior to the hindlimb buds (when present) all have the same thoracic-like identity (except from the atlas, axis and 1-3 neck vertebrae), making most of the snake's skeleton being composed of an extremely extended thorax. In Anatomy, the atlas (C1 is the topmost (first Cervical vertebra of the spine. In Anatomy, the second Cervical vertebra (C2 of the spine is named the axis (from Latin axis, "axle" or epistropheus. Ribs are found exclusively on the thoracic vertebrae. The neck, lumbar and pelvic vertebrae are very reduced in number (only 2-10 lumbar and pelvic vertebrae are still present), while only a short tail remains of the caudal vertebrae, although the tail is still long enough to be of good use in many species, and is modified in some aquatic and tree dwelling species.
An alternative hypothesis, based on morphology, suggests that the ancestors of snakes were related to mosasaurs — extinct aquatic reptiles from the Cretaceous — which in turn are thought to have derived from varanid lizards. The term morphology in Biology refers to the outward appearance ( Shape, Structure, Colour, Pattern) of an Organism Mosasaurs (from Latin Mosa meaning the ' Meuse river ' in the Netherlands and Greek sauros meaning 'lizard' were serpentine marine An aquatic animal is an Animal which lives in water for most or all of the time The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of Monitor lizards are the family Varanidae, a group of carnivorous lizards which includes the largest living lizard the Komodo dragon. [2] Under this hypothesis, the fused, transparent eyelids of snakes are thought to have evolved to combat marine conditions (corneal water loss through osmosis), while the external ears were lost through disuse in an aquatic environment, ultimately leading to an animal similar in appearance to sea snakes of today. For sea snakes in mythology and cryptozoology see Sea serpent. In the Late Cretaceous, snakes re-colonized the land much like they are today. The Cretaceous (kriːˈteɪʃəs, usually abbreviated 'K' for its German translation "Kreide" is a geologic period and system, reaching from the end of Fossil snake remains are known from early Late Cretaceous marine sediments, which is consistent with this hypothesis, particularly as they are older than the terrestrial Najash rionegrina. Similar skull structure; reduced/absent limbs; and other anatomical features found in both mosasaurs and snakes lead to a positive cladistical correlation, although some of these features are shared with varanids. Cladistics is the hierarchical classification of Species based on evolutionary ancestry Monitor lizards are the family Varanidae, a group of carnivorous lizards which includes the largest living lizard the Komodo dragon. In recent years, genetic studies have indicated that snakes are not as closely related to monitor lizards as it was once believed, and therefore not to mosasaurs, the proposed ancestor in the aquatic scenario of their evolution. However, there is more evidence linking mosasaurs to snakes than to varanids. Fragmentary remains that have been found from the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous indicate deeper fossil records for these groups, which may eventually refute either hypothesis. The Jurassic is a geologic period and system that extends from about Ma (million years ago to Ma that is from the end of the Triassic to the beginning
The great diversity of modern snakes appeared in the Paleocene, correlating with the adaptive radiation of mammals following the extinction of the dinosaurs. The Texas Coral Snake ( Micrurus tener) is a Species of venomous Coral snake, an elapid Snake found in the southern The Paleocene or Palaeocene, "early dawn of the recent" is a geologic epoch that lasted from 65 An adaptive radiation is a rapid Evolutionary radiation characterized by an increase in the morphological and ecological diversity of a single rapidly diversifying lineage There are over 2,900 species of snakes ranging as far northward as the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia and southward through Australia and Tasmania. The Arctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. Terminology and usage As a cultural term "Scandinavia" has no official definition and is subject to usage by those who identify with the culture in question as well For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Tasmania is an Australian island and state of the same name It is located south of the eastern side of the Continent, being separated from it by Bass [2] Snakes can be found on every continent (with the exception of Antarctica), dwelling in the sea, and as high as 16,000 feet (4900m)in the Himalayan Mountains of Asia. [2][21] There are numerous islands from which snakes are conspicuously absent such as Ireland, Iceland, and New Zealand. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world Iceland, officially the Republic of Iceland ( ( Ísland or Lýðveldið Ísland ( New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island [21]
Skin
The skin of a snake is covered in scales. Snakes, like other Reptiles have a skin covered in scales. Snakes are entirely covered with scales or Scutes of various shapes and The skin is the outer covering of living tissue of an animal (or plant Snakes, like other Reptiles have a skin covered in scales. Snakes are entirely covered with scales or Scutes of various shapes and Contrary to the popular notion of snakes being slimy because of possible confusion of snakes with worms, snakeskin has a smooth, dry texture. A worm is a common name given to a diverse group of invertebrate animals that have a long soft body and no legs Most snakes use specialized belly scales to travel, gripping surfaces. The body scales may be smooth, keeled, or granular. Keeled scales refer to Reptile scales that rather than being smooth have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale making them rough to the Snake's eyelids are transparent "spectacle" scales which remain permanently closed, also known as brille.
The shedding of scales is called ecdysis, or, in normal usage moulting or sloughing. Ecdysis is the Molting of the Cuticula in Arthropods and related groups ( Ecdysozoa) In Biology, moulting (or molting, also known as shedding or for some species Ecdysis) signifies the manner in which an animal routinely In the case of snakes, the complete outer layer of skin is shed in one layer. [22] Snake scales are not discrete but extensions of the epidermis hence they are not shed separately, but are ejected as a complete contiguous outer layer of skin during each moult, akin to a sock being turned inside out. In Biology, moulting (or molting, also known as shedding or for some species Ecdysis) signifies the manner in which an animal routinely [23]
Moulting serves a number of functions - firstly, the old and worn skin is replaced, secondly, it helps get rid of parasites such as mites and ticks. In Biology, moulting (or molting, also known as shedding or for some species Ecdysis) signifies the manner in which an animal routinely Renewal of the skin by moulting is supposed to allow growth in some animals such as insects, however this view has been disputed in the case of snakes. In Biology, moulting (or molting, also known as shedding or for some species Ecdysis) signifies the manner in which an animal routinely [23][24]
Moulting is repeated periodically throughout a snake's life. Before a moult, the snake stops eating and often hides or moves to a safe place. Just before shedding, the skin becomes dull and dry looking and the eyes become cloudy or blue-colored. The inner surface of the old outer skin liquefies. This causes the old outer skin to separate from the new inner skin. After a few days, the eyes clear and the snake "crawls" out of its old skin. The old skin breaks near the mouth and the snake wriggles out aided by rubbing against rough surfaces. In many cases the cast skin peels backward over the body from head to tail, in one piece like an old sock. A new, larger, and brighter layer of skin has formed underneath. [23][25]
An older snake may shed its skin only once or twice a year, but a younger, still-growing snake, may shed up to four times a year. [25] The discarded skin gives a perfect imprint of the scale pattern and it is usually possible to identify the snake if this discard is reasonably complete and intact. [23] Although the primary purpose of shedding is for the snake's growth; it also removes external parasites. In Biology, moulting (or molting, also known as shedding or for some species Ecdysis) signifies the manner in which an animal routinely Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between Organisms of different Species. This periodic renewal has led to the snake being a symbol of healing and medicine, as pictured in the Rod of Asclepius. The rod of Asclepius (also known as the rod of Asklepios, rod of Aesculapius or asklepian) is an ancient Greek Symbol associated [26]
The shape and number of scales on the head, back and belly are characteristic to family, genus and species. Scales have a nomenclature analogous to the position on the body. In "advanced" (Caenophidian) snakes, the broad belly scales and rows of dorsal scales correspond to the vertebrae, allowing scientists to count the vertebrae without dissection. Xenophidia ( Caenophidia) is a Superfamily of the suborder Serpentes ( Snakes that contains Cobras vipers Sea snakes Dorsal scales, in Snakes are the scales found on the body of the snake as opposed to the scales on the belly and the head of the snake A vertebra (plural vertebrae) is an individual Irregular bone in the spinal or Vertebral column ( aka ischis a flexuous and flexible column Dissection (also called anatomization) is usually the process of disassembling and observing something to determine its internal structure and as an aid to discerning the function
Scalation counts are also used to tell the sex of a snake when the species is not readily sexually dimorphic. A probe is inserted into the cloaca until it can go no further. In zoological anatomy a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts of certain animal species The probe is marked at the point where it stops, removed, and compared to the subcaudal depth by laying it alongside the scales. [8] The scalation count determines whether the snake is a male or female as hemipenes of a male will probe to a different depth (usually longer) than the cloaca of a female. [8]
Perception
Eyesight
Snake vision is remarkable. In Psychology, visual perception is the ability to interpret information from Visible light reaching the Eyes The resulting Perception is also Generally, vision is best in arboreal snakes and worst in burrowing snakes. Snakes can detect movement. [27] Some snakes, such the Asian vine snake (genus Ahaetulla), have binocular vision, with both eyes capable of focusing on the same point. Ahaetulla is a Genus of Colubrid Snakes commonly referred to as vine snakes, or whip snakes. Binocular vision is vision in which both Eyes are used together Most snakes focus by moving the lens back and forth in relation to the retina, while in all other vertebrates, the lens is stretched. The lens is a transparent biconvex structure in the Eye that along with the Cornea, helps to Refract Light to be focused The vertebrate retina is a light sensitive part inside the inner layer of the Eye.
Smell
Snakes use smell to track their prey. It smells by using its forked tongue to collect airborne particles then passing them to the Jacobson's organ or the Vomeronasal organ in the mouth for examination. A forked tongue is a Tongue split into two distinct ends at the tip this is a feature common to many species of Reptiles Reptiles smell using the tip of The vomeronasal organ ( VNO) or Jacobson's organ, is an auxiliary Olfactory Sense organ that is found in many Animals It was The mouth, buccal cavity, or oral cavity is the first portion of the Alimentary canal that receives food and begins digestion by mechanically breaking up [27] The fork in the tongue gives the snake a sort of directional sense of smell and taste simultaneously. [27] The snake keeps its tongue constantly in motion, sampling particles from the air, ground, and water analyzing the chemicals found and determining the presence of prey or predators in its local environment. [27]
Vibration sensitivity
The part of the body which is in direct contact with the surface of the ground is very sensitive to vibration, thus a snake is able to sense other animals approaching through detecting faint vibrations in the air and on the ground. [27]
Infrared sensitivity
Pit vipers, pythons, and some boas have infrared-sensitive receptors in deep grooves between the nostril and eye, although some have labial pits on their upper lip just below the nostrils (common in pythons) which allow them to "see" the radiated heat. The ability to sense Infrared Thermal radiation evolved independently in several different families of Snakes Essentially it allows these animals to “see” [27] Infrared sensitivity helps snakes locate nearby prey, especially warm-blooded mammals.
Internal organs
As with all reptiles, snakes are ectothermic. Cold-blooded organisms (called poikilotherms - "of varying temperature" maintain their body temperatures in ways different from Mammals and Birds
The snake's heart is encased in a sac, called the pericardium, located at the bifurcation of the bronchi. The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the Heart and the roots of the Great vessels. A bronchus (plural bronchi, adjective bronchial) is a caliber of airway in the Respiratory tract that conducts air into the Lungs No Gas The heart is able to move around, however, owing to the lack of a diaphragm. This adjustment protects the heart from potential damage when large ingested prey is passed through the esophagus. The spleen is attached to the gall bladder and pancreas and filters the blood. The spleen is an organ found in all Vertebrate animals In humans the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body where it functions in the destruction of redundant Red The gallbladder (or cholecyst sometimes gall bladder is a small organ whose function in the body is to store Bile and aid in the digestive process The pancreas is a Gland organ in the digestive and Endocrine system of Vertebrates. The thymus gland is located in fatty tissue above the heart and is responsible for the generation of immune cells in the blood. In Human anatomy, the thymus is an organ located in the upper Anterior portion of the chest cavity just behind the Sternum. The cardiovascular system of snakes is also unique for the presence of a renal portal system in which the blood from the snake's tail passes through the kidneys before returning to the heart. [28]
The vestigial left lung is often small or sometimes even absent, as snakes' tubular bodies require all of their organs to be long and thin. Vestigiality describes homologous characters of Organisms which have lost all or most of their original function in a species through lung is the essential Respiration organ in air-breathing Animals including most Tetrapods a few Fish and a few Snails The most primitive [28] In the majority of species, only one lung is functional. lung is the essential Respiration organ in air-breathing Animals including most Tetrapods a few Fish and a few Snails The most primitive This lung contains a vascularized anterior portion and a posterior portion which does not function in gas exchange. [28] This 'saccular lung' is used for hydrostatic purposes to adjust buoyancy in some aquatic snakes and its function remains unknown in terrestrial species. Fluid pressure is the Pressure at some point within a Fluid, such as water or air [28] Many organs that are paired, such as kidneys or reproductive organs, are staggered within the body, with one located ahead of the other. The kidneys are complicated organs that have numerous biological roles A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute [28] Snakes have no colenary bladder or lymph nodes. A Lymph node ( lɪmf noʊd is an organ consisting of many types of cells and is a part of the Lymphatic system. [28]
Locomotion
The lack of limbs does not impede the movement of snakes, and they have developed several different modes of locomotion to deal with particular environments. Unlike the gaits of limbed animals, which form a continuum, each mode of snake locomotion is discrete and distinct from the others, and transitions between modes are abrupt. [29][30]
Lateral undulation
- See also: Lateral undulation
Lateral undulation is the sole mode of aquatic locomotion, and the most common mode of terrestrial locomotion. Lateral undulation is the most primitive of Vertebrate Locomotor patterns present even in Hagfish, Lampreys and Lancelets It is Lateral undulation is the most primitive of Vertebrate Locomotor patterns present even in Hagfish, Lampreys and Lancelets It is [30] In this mode, the body of the snake alternately flexes to the left and right, resulting in a series of rearward-moving 'waves'. [29] While this movement appears rapid, snakes have been documented moving faster than 2 body-lengths per second, often much less. [31] This mode of movement is similar to running in lizards of the same mass. [32]
- Terrestrial
- Terrestrial lateral undulation is the most common mode of terrestrial locomotion for most snake species. [29] In this mode, the posteriorly-moving waves push against contact points in the environment, such as rocks, twigs, irregularities in the soil, etc. [29] Each of these environmental objects, in turn, generates a reaction force directed forward and towards the midline of the snake, resulting in forward thrust while the
lateral components cancel out. Laticauda is a genus of snakes from the family Hydrophiidae. The laticauda is the least adapted to sea life of all the members of Hydrophiidae it retains the wide ventral scales [33] The speed of this movement depends upon the density of push-points in the environment, with a medium density of about 8 along the snake's length being ideal. [31] The wave speed is precisely the same as the snake speed, and as a result, every point on the snake's body follows the path of the point ahead of it, allowing snakes to move through very dense vegetation and small openings. [33]
Banded sea snake, Laticauda sp.
- Terrestrial lateral undulation is the most common mode of terrestrial locomotion for most snake species. [29] In this mode, the posteriorly-moving waves push against contact points in the environment, such as rocks, twigs, irregularities in the soil, etc. [29] Each of these environmental objects, in turn, generates a reaction force directed forward and towards the midline of the snake, resulting in forward thrust while the
- Aquatic
- When swimming, the waves become larger as they move down the snake's body, and the wave travels backwards faster than the snake moves forwards. [34] Thrust is generated by pushing their body against the water, resulting in the observed slip. In spite of overall similarities, studies show that the pattern of muscle activation is different in aquatic vs terrestrial lateral undulation, which justifies calling them separate modes. [35] All snakes can laterally undulate forward (with backward-moving waves), but only sea snakes have been observed reversing the pattern, i. For sea snakes in mythology and cryptozoology see Sea serpent. e. moving backwards via forward-traveling waves. [29]
Sidewinding
- See also: Sidewinding
Most often employed by colubroid snakes (colubrids, elapids, and vipers) when the snake must move in an environment which lacks any irregulaties to push against (and which therefore renders lateral undulation impossible), such as a slick mud flat or sand dune sidewinding is a modified form of lateral undulation in which all of the body segments oriented in one direction remain in contact with the ground, while the other segments are lifted up, resulting in a peculiar 'rolling' motion. Sidewinding is a type of locomotion unique to Caenophidian snakes, used to move across loose or slippery substrates [36][37] This mode of locomotion overcomes the slippery nature of sand or mud by pushing off with only static portions on the body, thereby minimzing slipping. [36] The static nature of the contact points can be shown from the tracks of a sidewinding snake, which show each belly scale imprint, without any smearing. This mode of locomotion has very low caloric cost, less than ⅓ of the cost for a lizard or snake to move the same distance. [32] Contrary to popular beliefs, there is no evidence that sidewinding is associated with hot sand. [36]
Concertina locomotion
- See also: Concertina movement
When push-points are absent, but there is not enough space to use sidewinding because of lateral constraints, such as in tunnels, snakes rely on concertina locomotion. Concertina movement is the movement occurring in Snakes and other legless organisms that consists of gripping or anchoring with portions of the body while pulling/pushing other [29][37] In this mode, the snake braces the posterior portion of its body against the tunnel wall while the front of the snake extends and straightens. [36] The front portion then flexes and forms an anchor point, and the posterior is straightened and pulled forwards. This mode of locomotion is slow and very demanding, up to seven times the cost of laterally undulating over the same distance. [32] This high cost is due to the repeated stops and starts of portions of the body as well as the necessity of using active muscular effort to brace against the tunnel walls.
Rectilinear locomotion
- See also: Rectilinear locomotion
The slowest mode of snake locomotion is rectilinear locomotion, which is also the only one in which the snake does not need to bend its body laterally, though it may do so when turning. Rectilinear locomotion is a mode of Locomotion most often associated with Snakes particularly heavy-bodied species like terrestrial pythons and boas [38] In this mode, the belly scales are lifted and pulled forward before being placed down and the body pulled over them. Waves of movement and stasis pass posteriorly, resulting in a series of ripples in the skin. [38] The ribs of the snake do not move in this mode of locomotion and this method is most often used by large pythons, boas, and vipers when stalking prey across open ground as the snake's movements are subtle and harder to detect by their prey in this manner. Common names pythons Python Πύθων is a Genus of non-venomous pythons found in Africa and Boa Kwon (born November 5, 1986) have contributed to her commercial success in South Korea and Japan and her popularity throughout Asia VIPeR is a Military robot developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems and intended for use in warfare [36]
Other
The movement of snakes in arboreal habitats has only recently been studied. [36] While on tree branches, snakes use several modes of locomotion depending on species and bark texture. [36] In general, snakes will use a modified form of concertina locomotion on smooth branches, but will laterally undulate if contact points are available. Snakes move faster on small branches and when contact points are present, in contrast to limbed animals, which do better on large branches with little 'clutter'.
Gliding snakes (Chrysopelea) of Southeast Asia launch themselves from branch tips, spreading their ribs and laterally undulating as they glide between trees. Chrysopelea, or more commonly known as the flying snakes, is a Genus that belongs to the family Colubridae. [39][36][40][41] These snakes can perform a controlled glide for hundreds of feet depending upon launch altitude and can even turn in mid-air. [36][42]
Reproduction
Although a wide range of reproductive modes are used by snakes; all snakes employ internal fertilization, accomplished by means of paired, forked hemipenes, which are stored inverted in the male's tail. Internal fertilization is a form of Animal fertilization of an Ovum by Spermatozoon within the body of an inseminated animal whether female or hermaphroditic A hemipenis (plural hemipenes) is one of a pair of Intromittent organs of male squamates ( Snakes Lizards and worm lizards. [43] The hemipenes are often grooved, hooked, or spined in order to grip the walls of the female's cloaca. In zoological anatomy a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts of certain animal species [43]
Most species of snake lay eggs, and most of those species abandon them shortly after laying; however, individual species such as the King cobra actually construct nests and stay in the vicinity of the hatchlings after incubation. In most Birds and Reptiles an egg ( Latin ovum) is the Zygote, resulting from Fertilization of the Ovum. The King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous Snake, with a length that can be as large as 5 [43] Most pythons coil around their egg-clutches after they have laid them and remain with the eggs until they hatch. [44] The female python will not leave the eggs, except to occasionally bask in the sun or drink water and will generate heat to incubate the eggs by shivering. [44]
Some species of snake are ovoviviparous and retain the eggs within their bodies until they are almost ready to hatch. Ovoviviparous Animals develop within eggs that remain within the mother's body up until they hatch or are about to hatch [45][46] Recently, it has been confirmed that several species of snake are fully viviparous, such as the boa constrictor and green anaconda, nourishing their young through a placenta as well as a yolk sac, which is highly unusual among reptiles, or anything else outside of placental mammals. A viviparous Animal is an animal employing vivipary: the embryo develops inside the body of the mother as opposed to outside in an egg ( Ovipary For other uses see Boa constrictor (disambiguation Boa constrictor is a non-venomous boa Species found in The placenta is an Ephemeral organ present in placental Vertebrates, such as Eutherial Mammals and Sharks during Gestation The yolk sac is the first element seen in the Gestational sac during Pregnancy, usually at 5 weeks Gestation. See also Evolution of mammals Eutheria ("true beast" are a group of Mammals consisting of Placental mammals plus all extinct Mammals [45][46] Retention of eggs and live birth are most often associated with colder environments, as the retention of the young within the female. Female (♀ is the Sex of an Organism, or a part of an organism which produces ova (egg cells [43][46]
Venom
- See also: Snake venom
Cobras, vipers, and closely related species use venom to immobilize or kill their prey. Snake venom is highly modified saliva that is produced by special glands of certain species of Snakes. Common names common European adder common European viper ( more) This article is about the class of Biotoxins For other uses see Venom (disambiguation and Venomous (disambiguation. The venom is modified saliva, delivered through fangs. For the band see Saliva (band; for the village in Azerbaijan see Səliva. Snake venom is highly modified saliva that is produced by special glands of certain species of Snakes. [47] The fangs of 'advanced' venomous snakes like viperids and elapids are hollow in order to inject venom more effectively, while the fangs of rear-fanged snakes such as the Boomslang merely have a groove on the posterior edge to channel venom into the wound. Snake venoms are often prey specific, its role in self-defense is secondary. [47] Venom, like all salivary secretions, is a pre-digestant which initiates the breakdown of food into soluble compounds allowing for proper digestion and even "non-venomous" snake bites (like any animal bite) will cause tissue damage. [48]
Certain birds, mammals, and other snakes such as kingsnakes that prey on venomous snakes have developed resistance and even immunity to certain venom. [47] Venomous snakes include three families of snakes and do not constitute a formal classification group used in taxonomy. In Biological classification, family ( Latin Taxonomy is the practice and science of classification The word comes from the Greek, taxis (meaning 'order' 'arrangement' and, nomos Taxonomy is the practice and science of classification The word comes from the Greek, taxis (meaning 'order' 'arrangement' and, nomos The term poisonous snake is mostly incorrect - poison is inhaled or ingested whereas venom is injected. [49] There are, however, two examples - Rhabdophis sequesters toxins from the toads it eats then secretes them from nuchal glands to ward off predators, and a small population of garter snakes in Oregon retains enough toxin in their liver from the newts they eat to be effectively poisonous to local small predators such as crows and foxes. Rhabdophis is a Genus of Snakes generally called Keelback snakes found primarily in southeast Asia A garter snake is any Species of North American Snake within the Genus Thamnophis. [50]
Snake venoms are complex mixtures of proteins and are stored in poison glands at the back of the head. Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl [50] In all venomous snakes these glands open through ducts into grooved or hollow teeth in the upper jaw. [47][49] These proteins can potentially be a mix of neurotoxins (which attack the nervous system), hemotoxins (which attack the circulatory system), cytotoxins, bungarotoxins and many other toxins that affect the body in different ways. A neurotoxin is a Toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells ( Neurons, usually by interacting with Membrane proteins such as Ion channels Hemotoxins, haemotoxins or hematotoxins are Toxins that destroy Red blood cells (that is cause Hemolysis) disrupt Blood Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells Examples of toxic agents are a Chemical substance, an Immune cell or some types of Venom α-bungarotoxin is one of the components of the venom of the Elapid snake Taiwanese banded Krait ( Bungarus multicinctus) [49] Almost all snake venom contains hyaluronidase, an enzyme that ensures rapid diffusion of the venom. [47]
Venomous snakes that use hemotoxins usually have the fangs that secrete the venom in the front of their mouths, making it easier for them to inject the venom into their victims. [49] Some snakes that use neurotoxins, such as the mangrove snake, have their fangs located in the back of their mouths, with the fangs curled backwards. The Gold-ringed Cat Snake or Mangrove Snake ( Boiga dendrophila) is a species of snake that belongs to the Genus of Boiga. [51] This makes it both difficult for the snake to use its venom and for scientists to milk them. [49] Elapid snakes, however, such as cobras and kraits are proteroglyphous, possessing hollow fangs which cannot be erected toward the front of their mouths and cannot "stab" like a viper, they must actually bite the victim. The Elapidae, or elapids are a Family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world including the Indian Ocean and Cobras ( are venomous Snakes of the family Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja. Bungarus is a Genus of venomous elapid Snakes found in India and South-East Asia. [52]
It has recently been suggested that all snakes may be venomous to a certain degree, the harmless snakes having weak venom and no fangs. [53]
Snakes may have evolved from a common lizard ancestor that was venomous, from which venomous lizards like the gila monster and beaded lizard may have also derived. The Gila monster (ˈhiːlə HEE-la Heloderma suspectum, is a species of venomous Lizard native to the Southwestern United States and northern They share this venom clade with various other saurian species. Toxicofera (Greek for "those who bear Toxins quot is a hypothetical Clade which represents about 4600 species (nearly 60% of extant Sauria is a Clade of reptiles that includes all living Diapsids as well as their Common ancestor and all its extinct descendants
Venomous snakes are classified in two taxonomic families:
- Elapids - cobras including king cobras, kraits, mambas, Australian copperheads, sea snakes, and coral snakes. Taxonomy is the practice and science of classification The word comes from the Greek, taxis (meaning 'order' 'arrangement' and, nomos In Biological classification, family ( Latin The Elapidae, or elapids are a Family of venomous snakes found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world including the Indian Ocean and Cobras ( are venomous Snakes of the family Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja. The King Cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous Snake, with a length that can be as large as 5 Bungarus is a Genus of venomous elapid Snakes found in India and South-East Asia. MAMBA stands for Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Asset, a Counter-battery radar operated by the Royal Artillery. Austrelaps is a Genus of venomous elapid snakes native to the relatively fertile temperate southern and eastern part of the Australian For sea snakes in mythology and cryptozoology see Sea serpent. The coral snakes are a large group of Elapid Snakes that can be divided into two distinct groups New World coral snakes and Old World [51]
- Viperids - vipers, rattlesnakes, copperheads/cottonmouths, adders and bushmasters. The Viperidae are a family of Venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from The Viperidae are a family of Venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous Snakes, genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. Common names: copperhead (snake chunk head death adder (dry-land moccasin more. Common names cottonmouth water moccasin black moccasin black snake more. Common names: bushmasters Lachesis is a Genus of venomous pitvipers found in the remote forested [51]
There is a third family containing the opistoglyphous (rear-fanged)snakes as well as the majority of other snake species:
- Colubrids - boomslangs, tree snakes, vine snakes, mangrove snakes, although not all colubrids are venomous. A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake is a Snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. A boomslang ( Dispholidus typus) is a relatively small venomous Colubrid Snake native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Ahaetulla is a Genus of Colubrid Snakes commonly referred to as vine snakes, or whip snakes. Boiga is a large Genus of mildly venomous, Rear-fanged, Colubrid Snakes typically known as the cat-eyed snakes or just A colubrid (from Latin coluber, snake is a Snake that is a member of the Colubridae family. This article is about the class of Biotoxins For other uses see Venom (disambiguation and Venomous (disambiguation. [48][51]
Interactions with humans
Snake bite
Snakes do not ordinarily prey on humans and most will not attack humans unless the snake is startled or injured, preferring instead to avoid contact. With the exception of large constrictors, non-venomous snakes are not a threat to humans. The bite of non-venomous snakes are usually harmless because their teeth are designed for grabbing and holding, rather than tearing or inflicting a deep puncture wound. Although the possibility of an infection and tissue damage is present in the bite of a non-venomous snake; venomous snakes present far greater hazard to humans. [48]
Documented deaths resulting from snake bites are uncommon. Non-fatal bites from venomous snakes may result in the need for amputation of a limb or part thereof. Of the roughly 725 species of venomous snakes worldwide, only 250 are able to kill a human with one bite. Although Australia is home to the largest number of venomous snakes in the world about one snakebite proves lethal on average in a year; in India where 250,000 snakebites are recorded in a single year, as many as 50,000 initial deaths are recorded. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country [54]
The treatment for a snakebite is as variable as the bite itself. The most common and effective method is through antivenom, a serum made from the venom of the snake. Antivenin (or antivenom or antivenene) is a biological product used in the treatment of venomous bites or stings Some antivenom is species specific or monovalent and some is made for use with multiple species in mind also known as polyvalent. In the United States for example, all species of venomous snakes are pit vipers, with the exception of the coral snake. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Common names: pit vipers pitvipers The Crotalinae, or crotalines are a subfamily of venomous vipers found The coral snakes are a large group of Elapid Snakes that can be divided into two distinct groups New World coral snakes and Old World To produce antivenin, a mixture of the venoms of the different species of rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths is injected into the body of a horse in ever-increasing dosages until the horse is immunized. Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous Snakes, genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. Blood is then extracted from the immunized horse and freeze-dried. It is reconstituted with sterile water and becomes antivenin. For this reason, people who are allergic to horses cannot be treated using antivenin. Antivenin for the more dangerous species (such as mambas, taipans, and cobras) is made in a similar manner in India, South Africa, and Australia with the exception being that those antivenins are species-specific. MAMBA stands for Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Asset, a Counter-battery radar operated by the Royal Artillery. The taipans are a Genus of large fast highly venomous Australasian Snakes One species the inland taipan (also known as the Cobras ( are venomous Snakes of the family Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja.
Snake charmers
In some parts of the world, especially in India, snake charming is a roadside show performed by a charmer. Snake charming is the practice of apparently hypnotising a Snake by simply playing an instrument "Naja fasciata" redirects here That Taxon as described by Bocage in 1895 refers to the Black-necked Spitting Cobra ( N India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Snake charming is the practice of apparently hypnotising a Snake by simply playing an instrument In such a show, the snake charmer carries a basket that contains a snake that he seemingly charms by playing tunes from his flutelike musical instrument, to which the snake responds. [55] Snakes lack external ears, though have internal ears. However, snakes show no tendency to be influenced by music. [55]
Researchers have pointed out that many of these snake charmers are good sleight-of-hand artists. The snake moves correspondingly to the flute movement and the vibrations from the tapping of the charmer's foot, neither of which is noticed by the public. Charmers rarely catch their snakes and the snakes are either nonvenomous or defanged cobras. Other snake charmers also have a snake and mongoose show, where both the animals have a mock fight; however, this is not very common, as the snakes, as well as the mongooses, may be seriously injured or killed. A mongoose (plural mongooses) is a member of the family Herpestidae (although also used for some members of Eupleridae) a family of small
Snake charming as a profession is now discouraged in India as a contribution to forest and snake conservation. In fact, in some places in India snake charming is banned by law. [55]
Snake trapping
The tribals of "Irulas" from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in India have been hunter-gatherers in the hot dry plains forests and have practiced this art for generations. Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country They have a vast knowledge of snakes in the field. Irulas generally catch the snakes with the help of a simple stick. Earlier, the Irulas caught thousands of snakes for the snake-skin industry. After the complete ban on snake-skin industry in India and protection of all snakes under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, they formed the Irula Snake Catcher's Cooperative and switched to catching snakes for removal of venom, releasing them in the wild after four extractions. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 refers to a sweeping package of legislation enacted in 1972 by the Government of India. The venom so collected is used for producing life-saving antivenin, biomedical research and for other medicinal products. Antivenin (or antivenom or antivenene) is a biological product used in the treatment of venomous bites or stings [56] The Irulas are also known to eat some of the snakes they catch and are very useful in rat extermination in the villages.
Despite the existence of snake charmers, there have also been professional snake catchers or wranglers. Modern day snake trapping involves a herpetologist using a long stick with a "V" shaped end. Herpetology (from Greek: ἑρπετόν herpeton, "creeping animal" and λόγος logos, "knowledge" is the branch of Zoology Some like Bill Haast, Austin Stevens, and Jeff Corwin prefer to catch them using bare hands. William E "Bill" Haast (born 1910 is the director of the Miami Serpentarium Laboratories a facility near Punta Gorda, Florida, which produces snake venom Austin James Stevens (born 19 May 1950) is a South African born Herpetologist and wildlife Photographer best known for hosting a series Jeffrey Scott Corwin (born in Norwell Massachusetts) is best known as the host and executive producer of The Jeff Corwin Experience and Corwin's
Consumption of snakes
While not commonly thought of as a dietary item by most cultures, in some cultures, the consumption of snakes is acceptable, or even considered a delicacy, prized for its alleged pharmaceutical effect of warming the heart. The Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias, is a wading Bird in the Heron family Ardeidae, common over most of North and Central Snake soup of Cantonese cuisine is consumed by local people in Autumn, to prevent a cold. Cantonese ( Yue) cuisine comes from Guangdong Province in Southern China, or specifically from Guangzhou (Canton Western cultures document the consumption of snakes under extreme circumstances of hunger. [57] Cooked rattlesnake meat is an exception, which is commonly consumed in parts of the Midwestern United States. In Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia, drinking the blood of snakes, particularly the cobra, is believed to increase sexual virility. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Taiwan ( Taiwanese: Tâi-oân/Tāi-oân (historically 大灣/台員/大員/台圓/大圓/台窩灣 is an Island in East Asia. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. Vietnam (ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm Việt Nam) officially The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East [58] The blood is drained while the cobra is still alive when possible, and is usually mixed with some form of liquor to improve the taste. [58]
In some Asian countries, the use of snakes in alcohol is also accepted. In such cases, the body of a snake or several snakes is left to steep in a jar or container of liquor. It is claimed that this makes the liquor stronger (as well as more expensive). One example of this is the Habu snake sometimes placed in the Okinawan liquor Awamori also known as "Habu Sake". is one of Japan 's southern prefectures, and consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1000 km long which extends southwest from Kyūshū Awamori ( 泡盛) is an Alcoholic beverage indigenous to and unique to Okinawa, Japan. [59]
Snakes as pets
In the Western world some snakes, especially docile species such as the ball python and corn snake, are kept as pets. Common names royal python ball python Python regius is a non-venomous python Species found in Africa The Corn Snake ( Elaphe guttata guttata) or Red Rat Snake, is a North American Species of Rat snake that subdue their small prey with To supply this demand a captive breeding industry has developed. Herpetoculture is the keeping of live Reptiles and Amphibians (or "herpetofauna" in Captivity, whether as a Hobby or as a commercial Snakes bred in captivity tend to make better pets and are considered preferable to wild caught specimens.
Symbolism
In Egyptian history, the snake occupies a primary role with the Nile cobra adorning the crown of the pharaoh in ancient times. Serpent is a word of Latin origin (from serpens serpentis "something that creeps snake" that is commonly used in a specifically mythic or The history of Egypt is the longest continuous history as a unified state of any country in the world It was worshipped as one of the gods and was also used for sinister purposes: murder of an adversary and ritual suicide (Cleopatra). The worship of serpent deities is present in several old cultures where snakes were seen as entities of strength and renewal Cleopatra VII Philopator (in Greek, Κλεοπάτρα Φιλοπάτωρ; January 69 BC &ndash 30 BC was a Hellenistic ruler of Egypt
In Greek mythology snakes are often associated with deadly and dangerous antagonists, but this is not to say that snakes are symbolic of evil; in fact, snakes are a chthonic symbol, roughly translated as 'earthbound'. Greek mythology is the body of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their gods and Heroes the nature of the world and the origins and significance Chthonic (from Greek χθόνιος khthonios "of the earth" from khthōn "earth" pertaining to the Earth; earthy subterranean The nine-headed Lernaean Hydra that Hercules defeated and the three Gorgon sisters are children of Gaia, the earth. In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra ( Greek: ( was an ancient nameless serpent -like Chthonic water beast that possessed numerous Hercules is the Roman name for the Mythical Greek hero Heracles, son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmena. In Greek mythology, a gorgon ( Greek: γοργώ or γοργών transl [60] Medusa was one of the three Gorgon sisters who Perseus defeated. In Greek mythology, Medusa ( Greek: Μέδουσα (Médousa "guardian protectress" was a monstrous Chthonic female character gazing upon Perseus, Perseos, or Perseas ( Greek: Περσεύς, Περσέως, Περσέας) the Legendary founder [60] Medusa is described as a hideous mortal, with snakes instead of hair and the power to turn men to stone with her gaze. [60] After killing her, Perseus gave her head to Athena who fixed it to her shield called the Aegis. ATHENA was an Antimatter research project that took place at the AD Ring at CERN. "Aegis" (ˈiːdʒɨs has entered modern English to mean a shield protection or sponsorship originally from the name of the mythological protective shield of Zeus [60] The Titans are also depicted in art with snakes instead of legs and feet for the same reason—they are children of Gaia and Ouranos (Uranus), so they are bound to the earth. In Greek mythology, the Titans ( Greek: Tītā́n; plural Tītânes) were a race of powerful Deities that ruled during the legendary
Three medical symbols involving snakes that are still used today are Bowl of Hygieia, symbolizing pharmacy, and the Caduceus and Rod of Asclepius, which are symbols denoting medicine in general. Bowl of Hygieia is one of the Symbols of Pharmacy. Hygieia was the Greek goddess of health The caduceus (/kəˈdjuːsiəs/ -ʃəs -ˈduː- κηρύκειον in Greek) or wand of Hermes is typically depicted as a short herald's staff The rod of Asclepius (also known as the rod of Asklepios, rod of Aesculapius or asklepian) is an ancient Greek Symbol associated [26]
India is often called the land of snakes and is steeped in tradition regarding snakes. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country [61] Snakes are worshipped as gods even today with many women pouring milk on snake pits (despite snakes' aversion for milk). Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes. [61] The cobra is seen on the neck of Shiva and Vishnu is depicted often as sleeping on a 7 headed snake or within the coils of a serpent. Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva For other meanings see Vishnu (disambiguation. Vishnu ( IAST viṣṇu Devanagari विष्णु (honorific [62] There are also several temples in India solely for cobras sometimes called Nagraj (King of Snakes) and it is believed that snakes are symbols of fertility. There is a Hindu festival called Nag Panchami each year on which day snakes are venerated and prayed to. 'Nāga Panchamī ( Sanskrit: नाग पंचमी is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus in most parts of India. See also Nāga. Nāga ( नाग, IAST: nāgá, Indonesian: naga, Javanese: nogo, Khmer: neak) is
In Islam, Christianity and Judaism the snake makes its infamous appearance in the first book (Genesis 3:1) of the Bible when a serpent appears before the first couple Adam and Eve as an agent of the devil and tempts them with the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Adam (אָדָם ʼĀḏām, "dust man mankind" آدم; Ge'ez: አዳ and Eve (חַוָּה Ḥawwā, "living Forbidden Fruit is an album by singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone (1933-2003 The snake returns in Exodus when Moses, as a sign of God's power, turns his staff into a snake and when Moses made the Nehushtan, a bronze snake on a pole that when looked at cured the people of bites from the snakes that plagued them in the desert. Exodus ( Greek: έξοδος eksodos = "departure" is the second book of the Jewish Torah and of the Christian Old Testament. Moses ( Latin: Moyses,; Greek: grc Mωυσής in both the Septuagint and the New Testament; Arabic: ar موسىٰ The Nehushtan (or Nehustan, Hebrew: נחושתן or נחש הנחושת) was a sacred object in the form of a Bronze snake The serpent makes its final appearance symbolizing Satan in the Book of Revelation:"And he laid hold on the dragon the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. Satan, ( Standard Hebrew Satan'el, English accuser) is a term that originates from the Abrahamic faiths, being traditionally The Book of Revelation, also called Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John ( pronounced, from the Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου " (Revelation 20:2)
The Ouroboros is a symbol that is associated with many different religions and customs, and is also claimed to be related to Alchemy. The Ouroboros (Greek grc Ουροβόρος from grc ουροβόρος όφις "tail-devouring snake" also spelled Ourorboros, Oroborus, Uroboros Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of The Ouroboros or Oroboros is a snake eating its own tail in a clock-wise direction (from the head to the tail) in the shape of a circle, representing manifestation of one's own life and rebirth, leading to immortality.
The snake is one of the 12 celestial animals of Chinese Zodiac, in the Chinese calendar. The Snake ( 蛇) (also known as the Serpent) is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese The Chinese Zodiac is a 12 year cycle Each year of the 12 year cycle is named after one of the original 12 animals The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, incorporating elements of a Lunar calendar with those of a Solar calendar.
Many ancient Peruvian cultures worshipped nature. [63] They placed emphasis on animals and often depicted snakes in their art. [64]
In religion
Muhammad, the prophet of Islam was reported to have said to "Kill the snake with two white lines on its back, for it blinds the on-looker and causes abortion. IMPORTANT PLEASE READ ##### For all questions relating to the addition of (pbuh peace be upon him or other honorifics For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. An " [65]
Snakes also play a role in the Christian faith. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The serpent was seen as a representative of evil and sly plotting, which can be seen in the description in Genesis chapter 3 of a snake in the Garden of Eden tempting Eve. Evil, in many cultures is used to describe acts or thoughts which are contrary to some particular religion Not to be confused with Eden Gardens.The Garden of Eden ( Hebrew "pleasure" גַּן עֵדֶן Arabic: جنات عدن,
Snakes have also been widely revered, such as in ancient Greece, where the serpent was seen as a healer, and Asclepius carried two intertwined on his wand, a symbol seen today on many ambulances. In Judaism, the snake of brass is also a symbol of healing, of one's life being saved from imminent death (Book of Numbers 26:6-9). Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut The Book of Numbers, ( Bamidbar, meaning in the wilderness) is the fourth book of the Torah, the Tanakh, and the Old Testament. In Christianity, Christ's redemptive work is compared to saving one's life through beholding the serpent of brass (Gospel of John 3:14). Christ is the English term for the Greek ( Khristós) meaning "the anointed " Brass is any Alloy of Copper and Zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties The Gospel of John (literally According to John; Greek, Κατὰ Ἰωάννην Kata Iōannēn) is the fourth Gospel in the canon
In Neo-Paganism and Wicca, the snake is seen as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. The musical instrument is spelled Cymbal. A symbol is something --- such as an object, Picture, written word a sound a piece
Snakes are part of Hindu worship. Most images of Lord Shiva depict snake around his neck. Puranas have various stories associated with Snakes.
See also
Snakes
Snakes in culture
- Snakebot
- Snake-arm robot
- Snake oil
- Exploding snake
- Snake Shyam
- Snakes on a Plane
- Serpent Mound
- Nahash
Cited references
- ^ Definition of serpent - Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Skull The typical Ophidian Skull is characterized by a solidly ossified brain-case with the distinct frontals and the united parietals extending downwards to the basisphenoid A venomous snake is a Snake that uses modified saliva venom, usually delivered through highly specialized teeth such as hollow fangs for the purpose of Prey This is a list of snakes by family subfamily and genus mostly according to the continuing work of Dr This is an overview of the suborder Serpentes, its two infraorders (subdivisions and the families they contain Many Vertebrates have evolved limbless forms Reptiles have on a number of occasions evolved into limbless forms - Snakes Amphisbaenia, and legless A snakebot is a biomorphic hyper-redundant Robot that resembles a Snake. A snake-arm robot is a slender hyper-redundant manipulator The high number of degrees of freedom allows the arm to “ Snake ” along a path or around an obstacle – hence the name “snake-arm” Snake oil is a Traditional Chinese medicine used to treat Joint pain There has been one documented case of an exploding snake, whereby a Burmese python burst MS Balasubramania, popularly known as Snake Shyam, is a Snake enthusiast Wildlife conservationist and Lecturer in Mysore, India Snakes on a Plane is a cult High concept, horror - thriller Feature film starring Samuel L The Great Serpent Mound is a 1330-foot-long three-foot-high prehistoric Effigy mound located on a plateau of the Serpent Mound crater along Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved on 12 October 2006. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b c d e Sanchez, Alejandro, Diapsids III: Snakes, <http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/metazoa12.html>. Retrieved on 26 November 2007
- ^ a b c d e Bebler (1979) p. 581
- ^ a b c d Mehrtens (1987), p. 81
- ^ Hoso, M. , T. Takahiro & M. Hori. (2007) "Right-handed snakes: convergent evolution of asymmetry for functional specialization. " Biol. Lett. 3: 169-72.
- ^ Mehrtens (1987), p. 184
- ^ Freiberg (1984), pp. 125-127
- ^ a b c Rosenfeld(1989), p. 11
- ^ The thermogenesis of digestion in rattlesnakes. Journal of Experimental Biology 207 579-585. The Company of Biologists (2004). Retrieved on 2006-05-26, 2006. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 451 - The Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sassanid Empire takes place Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ a b Serpentes (TSN 174118). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 20 August 2007. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cogger(1991), p. 23
- ^ Aniliidae (TSN 209611). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 12 December 2007. Events 627 - Battle of Nineveh: A Byzantine army under Emperor Heraclius defeats Emperor Khosrau II 's Persian Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Anomochilidae (TSN 563894). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 13 December 2007. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Atractaspididae (TSN 563895). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 13 December 2007. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ Typhlopidae (TSN 174338). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 13 December 2007. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ a b c Mehrtens (1987) p. 11
- ^ a b Mc Dowell, Samuel (1972), “The evolution of the tongue of snakes and its bearing on snake origins”, Evolutionary Biology 6: 191-273
- ^ Apesteguía, Sebastián; Hussam Zaher (April 2006). "A Cretaceous terrestrial snake with robust hindlimbs and a sacrum". Nature 440 (7087): 1037–1040. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document.
- ^ a b c Mertens, Robert (1961), “Lanthanotus: an important lizard in evolution”, Sarawak Museum Journal 10: 320-322
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- ^ a b Conant (1991), p. 143
- ^ Smith, Malcolm A. Fauna of British India. . . Vol I - Loricata and Testudines, page 30
- ^ a b c d Are snakes slimy? at [http://www.szgdocent.org/ Singapore Zoological Garden's Docent. Accessed 14 August 2006.
- ^ ZooPax Scales Part 3
- ^ a b General Snake Information - Division of Wildlife, South Dakota
- ^ a b Wilcox, Robert A (15 April 2003). "The symbol of modern medicine: why one snake is more than two". Annals of Internal Medicine.
- ^ a b c d e f Cogger(1991), p. 180
- ^ a b c d e f Mader, Douglas (June 1995), “Reptillian Anatomy”, Reptiles 3 (2): 84-93
- ^ a b c d e f Cogger(1991), p. 175
- ^ a b Gray, J. (1946), “The mechanism of locomotion in snakes”, Journal of experimental biology 23 (2): 101 - 120
- ^ a b Hekrotte, Carlton (1967), “Relations of Body Temperature, Size, and Crawling Speed of the Common Garter Snake, Thamnophis s. sirtalis”, Copeia 23 (4): 759 - 763
- ^ a b c Walton, M. ; Jayne, B. C. & Bennett, A. F. (1967), “The energetic cost of limbless locomotion”, Science 249 (4): 524-527
- ^ a b Gray, J & H. W. (1950), “Kinetics of locomotion of the grass snake”, Journal of experimental biology 26: 354-367
- ^ Gray, J & Lissman (1953), “Undulatory propulsion”, Quarterly Journal of Micro. Science 94: 551-578
- ^ Jayne, B. C. (1988), “Muscular mechanisms of snake locomotion: an electromyographic study of lateral undulation of the Florida banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata) and the yellow rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta)”, Journal of Morphology 197: 159-181
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cogger(1991), p. 177
- ^ a b Jayne, B. C. (1986), “Kinematics of terrestrial snake locomotion”, Copeia: 915-927
- ^ a b Cogger(1991), p. 176
- ^ Astley, H. C. & Jayne, B. C. (2007. ), “Effects of perch diameter and incline on the kinematics, performance and modes of arboreal locomotion of corn snakes (Elaphe guttata)”, Journal of Experimental Biology 210: 3862-3872
- ^ Freiberg(1984). p. 135
- ^ Socha, J. J. 2002. Gliding flight in the paradise tree snake. Nature 418, 603-604.
- ^ Freiberg(1984). p. 135
- ^ a b c d Capula (1989), p. 117
- ^ a b Cogger (1991), p. 186
- ^ a b Capula (1989), p. 118
- ^ a b c Cogger (1991), p. 182
- ^ a b c d e Mehrtens (1987), p. 243
- ^ a b c Mehrtens (1987), p. 209
- ^ a b c d e Freiberg (1984), p. 125
- ^ a b Freiberg (1984), p. 123
- ^ a b c d Freiberg (1984), pp. 126
- ^ Mehrtens (1987), p. 242
- ^ Fry, Brian G; Vidal, Nicholas; Norman, Janette A. ; Vonk, Freek J. ; Scheib, Holger; Ramjan, Ryan & Kuruppu, Sanjaya (2006), “Early evolution of the venom system in lizards and snakes.”, Nature (Letters) 439: 584-588, DOI 10. 1038/nature04328
- ^ Sinha, Kounteya (25 Jul 2006), “No more the land of snake charmers...”, The Times of India, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1803026.cms>
- ^ a b c Bagla, Pallava. "India's Snake Charmers Fade, Blaming Eco-Laws, TV", National Geographic News, April 23, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-11-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus"
- ^ Whitaker, Romulus & Captain, Ashok. Snakes of India: The Field Guide. (2004) pp 11 to 13.
- ^ Irvine, F. R. 1954. Snakes as food for man. British Journal of Herpetology. 1(10):183-189.
- ^ a b Flynn, Eugene. "Flynn Of The Orient Meets The Cobra", Fabulous Travel, April 23, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-11-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus"
- ^ Allen, David. "Okinawa’s potent habu sake packs healthy punch, poisonous snake", Stars and Stripes, Sunday, July 22, 2001. Retrieved on 2007-11-26. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus"
- ^ a b c d Bullfinch (2000) p. 85
- ^ a b Deane (1833). p. 61
- ^ Deane (1833). p. 62-64
- ^ Benson, Elizabeth, The Mochica: A Culture of Peru. New York, NY: Praeger Press. 1972
- ^ Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. The Larco Museum (Museo Larco is located in the Pueblo Libre District in Lima, Peru. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997. Thames & Hudson (also Thames and Hudson and sometimes T&H for brevity are a Publisher, especially of Art and Illustrated Books
- ^ Sahih Bukhari 4:54:527
References
- Serpentes (TSN 174118). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) is a partnership designed to provide consistent and reliable information on the Taxonomy of biological Species Retrieved on 6 December 2007. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- Bebler, John L. (1979). The Audubon Society Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of North America. Alfred A. Knopf, 581. ISBN 0394508246.
- Bullfinch, Thomas (2000). Thomas Bulfinch ( July 15 1796 - May 27, 1867) was an American writer born in Newton Massachusetts. Bullfinch's Complete Mythology. London: Chancellor Press, 679. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. ISBN 0753703815.
- Capula, Massimo; Behler (1989). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the World. New York: Simon & Schuster. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L ISBN 0671690981.
- Coborn, John (1991). The Atlas of Snakes of the World. New Jersey: TFH Publications. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States.
- Cogger, Harold (1992). Harold (Hal Cogger is an Australian Herpetologist. He was curator of Reptiles and Amphibians at the Australian Museum from 1960-1975 and Deputy Reptiles & Amphibians. Sydney, Australia: Weldon Owen. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 ISBN 0831727861.
- Conant, Roger (1991). Roger Conant ( May 6, 1909 &ndash December 19, 2003) was an American herpetologist, author educator and conservationist A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians Eastern/Central North America. Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Company. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. ISBN 0395583896.
- Deane, John (1833). The Worship of the Serpent is a 19th century study of the practice of snake-worship specifically the Biblical snake from the garden of Eden The Worship of the Serpent. Whitefish, Montana: Kessinger Publishing, 412. Whitefish is a city in Flathead County, Montana, United States. Montana ( is a state in the Western United States. One-third of the state in the western part contains numerous mountain ranges (approximately 77 named of the northern ISBN 1564598985.
- Ditmars, Raymond L (1906). Raymond Lee Ditmars (born June 22, 1876 from Newark, New Jersey, died May 12, 1942 in New York City) was an Poisonous Snakes of the United States: How to Distinguish Them. New York: E. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous R. Sanborn, 11.
- Ditmars, Raymond L (1931). Raymond Lee Ditmars (born June 22, 1876 from Newark, New Jersey, died May 12, 1942 in New York City) was an Snakes of the World. New York: Macmillian, 11. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous ISBN 978-0025317307.
- Ditmars, Raymond L (1933). Raymond Lee Ditmars (born June 22, 1876 from Newark, New Jersey, died May 12, 1942 in New York City) was an Reptiles of the World: The Crocodilians, Lizards, Snakes, Turtles and Tortoises of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. New York: Macmillian, 321. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous
- Ditmars, Raymond L (1935). Raymond Lee Ditmars (born June 22, 1876 from Newark, New Jersey, died May 12, 1942 in New York City) was an Snake-Hunters' Holiday. . New York: D. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Appleton and Company, 309.
- Ditmars, Raymond L (1939). Raymond Lee Ditmars (born June 22, 1876 from Newark, New Jersey, died May 12, 1942 in New York City) was an A Field Book of North American Snakes. Garden City,New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co, 305. Garden City New York is a village in central Nassau County, New York, in the USA, which was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous
- Freiberg, Dr. Marcos (1984). The World of Venomous Animals. New Jersey: TFH Publications. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. ISBN 0876665679.
- Gibbons, J. Whitfield (1983). Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures With Reptiles and Amphibians. Alabama: University of Alabama Press, 164. Alabama (formally the State of Alabama;) is a State located in the southern region of the United States of America. ISBN 978-0817301354.
- Mattison, Chris (2007). The New Encyclopedia of Snakes. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 272. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Princeton University is a private Coeducational research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. ISBN 978-0691132952.
- McDiarmid, RW (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 1. Herpetologists' League, 511.
- Mehrtens, John (1987). Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous ISBN 0806964618.
- Romulus Whitaker (English edition); Tamil translation by O. Romulus Whitaker is a herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Snake Park, The Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust (ANET and the Henry Francis (1996). நம்மை சுட்ரியுள்ள பாம்புகள் (Snakes around us, Tamil). National Book Trust. ISBN 81-237-1905-1.
- Rosenfeld, Arthur (1989). Exotic Pets. New York: Simon & Schuster, 293. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Simon & Schuster Inc, a division of CBS Corporation, is a Publisher founded in New York in 1924 by Richard L ISBN 067147654.
- Spawls, Steven (1995). The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Sanibel Island,Florida: Ralph Curtis Publishing, 192. Sanibel Island is an Island located on the Gulf coast of Florida, just offshore of Fort Myers. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the ISBN 0883590298.
External links
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (USDA)
- US Snakes on eNature
- Snakes of the Indian Subcontinent
- European Snakes -- Large DB and Pictures about snakes
- Venomous Snakes Information Community
- Snake Cell -- An organization for wellbeing of snakes (INDIA)
- Snake World - Several Types of Snakes
- What's That Snake? Snake Identification Tool (OPLIN)
- Worlds Top 10 Most Poisonous Snakes - Toxic Ranking
- Swedish Museum of Natural History Herpetology Database
Dictionary
snake
-noun
- A legless reptile of the sub-order Serpentes with a long, thin body and a fork-shaped tongue.
- A treacherous person.
- A tool for unclogging plumbing.
- A tool to aid cable pulling.
-verb
- (intransitive): To move in a winding path.
- (transitive, AU, slang) To steal slyly.
- (transitive) To clean using a plumbing snake.
Snake
-noun
- (video games) An early computer game, later popular on mobile phones, in which the player attempts to manoeuvre a perpetually growing snake so as to collect food items and avoid colliding with walls or the snake's tail.
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