Snakes

A snake is an elongate reptile of the suborder Serpentes. Like all reptiles, snakes are covered in scales. All snakes
are carnivorous and can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids, hind limbs, external ears, and
the presence of only vestigial forelimbs. 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 at 9 m (30 ft) long. In
order to accommodate snakes' narrow bodies, paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other
instead of side by side.
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.
The skin of a snake is covered in scales.Most snakes use specialized belly scales to travel, gripping surfaces. The
shedding of scales is called moulting. 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.
Snake vision varies greatly, from as good as blind to keen eyesight, but the main trend is that their vision is
adequate although not sharp, and allows them to track movements.
Snakes use smell to track their prey. It smells by using its forked tongue to collect airborne particles The fork in the
tongue gives the snake a sort of directional sense of smell and taste simultaneously.
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.
The lack of limbs does not impede the movement of snakes, and they have developed several different modes of
locomotion (Lateral undulation, Sidewinding, Rectilinear locomotion) to deal with particular environments.
Although a wide range of reproductive modes are used by snakes; all snakes employ internal fertilization. Most
species of snake lay eggs, and most of those species abandon them shortly after laying.
Cobras, vipers, and closely related species use venom to immobilize or kill their prey. The venom is modified
saliva, delivered through fangs.
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 is 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.