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 huge reptile family, but venom they inject in prey is so powerful that it could kill a human being within a few minutes. According to studies, 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 changed their living habitat.
Some modern species still carry primitive distinctive marks, this is the case with pythons and boas that still have vestiges of hind limbs, which only point to a past when snakes resembled lizards a lot more. Snakes or serpents are present in all cultures, carrying symbolic meanings and being widely illustrated in the arts. Mankind hunted down or worshiped snakes throughout its history; yet, modern attitudes have changed towards snakes particularly under the emphasis of the ecological movements that stress out the importance of these creatures for the environment of the planet. And they couldn’t be more right.
Fascinating details in the lives of snakes 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’ response to vibrations, the superior sense of smell and even the perception 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.
Snakes share their habitat with us, and people from areas with a higher density of snake species and sub-species should learn to distinguish between the hazardous or harmless specimens, and thus they reduce the risk of snakebites. Non-venomous snakes could also bite and injure one seriously when threatened, therefore, a healthy attitude towards such animals will save you a lot of trouble. Do not attempt to kill, catch or hunt snakes: they will never come after you for the sake of just biting. Be extremely cautious when keeping snakes as pets.
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