CHICAGO
JUNIOR HERP SOCIETY
Snakes
Native to Australia, adults grow to an average of 5 to 8.25 ft (1.5 to 2m) in length but can grow to a maximum length of 3.5m, although average specimens are about 2 metres in length. The body is muscular with a flattened profile, while the tail tapers to a thin point. Non venemous
Adults grow to an average of 5 and 6.5 feet (1.5–2 m) in length.[4] This species exhibits an immense variety of colors and patterns. The basic color can be anywhere from black, brown, or gray, to any shade of red, orange, yellow, or many colors in between These snakes are quite slim and don't have the mass of some of their other constrictor cousins such as the terrestrial Python, Boa and Rat/Corn snake species.
Found from Northern Vietnam to Southern China. It has a prominent, distinctive, scaled protrusion on the front of its snout, which has led to its common naming after mythical unicorns and some species of rhinoceros They are generally arboreal, and mostly nocturnal, hunting small mice and other rodents, birds and perhaps other vertebrate prey. Oviparous
Venomous pitviper species found in the southwestern United States and northern central Mexico. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new segment is added to the rattle. However, the rattle is fragile and may break off, and the frequency of shedding can vary. So the snake's age cannot be determined by the number of segments or length of the rattle In general, these snakes are not aggressive.
The name "corn snake" is a holdover from the days when southern farmers stored harvested ears of corn in a wood frame or log building called a crib. Rats and mice came to the corn crib to feed on the corn, and corn snakes came to feed on the rodents Corn snakes are found throughout the southeastern and central United States. Docile nature In colder regions, snakes hibernate during winter Egg-laying occurs slightly more than a month after mating /12–24 eggs
Is a venomous pit viper species found in Central and South America. Small and arboreal, these snakes are characterized by their wide array of color variations, as well as the superciliary scales over the eyes; prefers lower altitude, humid, tropical areas with dense foliage, generally not far from a permanent water source. They are not known to be an aggressive snake, but will not hesitate to strike if harassed.
King cobras can reach 18 feet in length, making them the longest of all venomous snakes. When confronted, they can raise up to one-third of their bodies straight off the ground and still move forward to attack. They will also flare out their iconic hoods and emit a bone-chilling hiss that sounds almost like a growling dog. Their venom is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant.
One of the most beautiful of all snakes. In the wild their strikingly marked bodies are near impossible to see among the ground and leaf litter. They have the largest fangs of any venomous snake in the world. The fangs can grow up to two inches in length. Their natural habitat consists of dense forested areas and humid grassy areas. They live in tropical forests and do not do well in hot climates. They like it on the cool side. In some part of their range they almost never see direct sunlight
FACTS
! Snakes are found on almost every continent (except Antarctica)
! They range in size from the tiny, 10 cm-long thread snake to the Reticulated python of up to 8.7 meters (29 ft) in length
! Most species are nonvenomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans.
! Nonvenomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction.
! There are over 2,900 species of snakes
! Snakes use smell to track their prey. They smell by using their forked tongues to collect airborne particles
! Most snakes focus by moving the lens back and forth in relation to the retina, Asian vine snakehave binocular vision, with both eyes capable of focusing on the same point.
! Pit vipers, pythons, and some boas have infrared-sensitive receptors
! The skin of a snake is covered in scales.