Pat, Cat & Dog

Posts Tagged ‘Snake’

With the exception of Antarctica, snakes are everywhere on the globe in warm and temperate geographical areas. The diversity of the 2,700 snakes species is relevant in the size differences too: there are some only a few centimeters long while others reach the impressive length of nine meters like the anacondas or the pythons. Poisonous snakes are far less numerous in this incredibly large reptile family, but their toxic poison is so powerful that it could cause the death of a human being within a few minutes. Chronological research indicates that, the history and origins of snakes are lost in the Cretaceous period, some 150 million years ago, when snakes are assumed to have evolved from a lizard and adapted to a different living habitat.

Some modern species still carry primitive distinctive marks, this is the case with pythons and boas that still carry hind limbs remains, which only point to a past when snakes were more lizard-like than they are today. Snakes or serpents are present in all cultures, carrying symbolic meanings and being widely represented in artistic form. Worshiped or hunted down as evil creatures, snakes surely have a fascination on human mind; yet, modern attitudes are partly different towards snakes under the pressure of ecologist organization that stress out the importance of these creatures for the balance of ecosystems. And many factors confirm such opinions.

There are many aspects in the life of snakes that fascinate scientists and indicate that there are more things to learn about the many existing species. Thus, a study of the colored patterns on the body of snakes indicates incredible differentiation details between individuals belonging to the same family. Then, snakes’ sensitivity to vibrations, the incredible sense of smell and even the reception of low frequency sounds make them pretty out of the ordinary. The same amount of scientific respect is due in terms of anatomical programing by the presence of the infrared sensitive receptors that allow pit vipers for instance to detect the warmth of the prey’s body.

Common habitats for humans and snakes are a reality, and people living in areas with a higher density of snake groups and sub-groups should learn to distinguish between the dangerous or harmless specimens, and thus they reduce the risk of snakebites. Non-venomous snakes could also bite and injure one seriously when sensing danger, therefore, a avoidance and respect of the snakes’ habitat remain the most effective prevention means. Do not try to catch, hunt or kill snakes: they will never come after you for the sake of just biting. Be extremely cautious when keeping snakes as pets.