They all look like snakes. Types of snakes
Imagination with its quantity and diversity. Snakes are included in the class of reptiles, the order Scaly. In the suborder of snakes, different scientists identify from 8 to 20 families. This discrepancy is associated with the discovery of new species and difficulties in their classification. The most numerous families include:
Snakes are familiar to many peoples, because they have colonized all continents, except, of course, Antarctica, since they are cold-blooded. Most snakes prefer warm climate, they live at the equator and in the tropics. As we move towards the poles, the number of snakes decreases. And only the common viper is capable of living in cold climates. Snakes live in a wide variety of places. Sea snakes live in the ocean. This is a whole family, most species of which even breed their offspring far from the shore. Some species of colubrids, slates, and vipers lead a burrowing, underground lifestyle. Snakes have mastered deserts and steppes, forests and mountains, rivers and lakes. Some species of colubrids, pitheads, adders, and boa constrictors lead an arboreal lifestyle. There is even a species of snake that can fly from one tree to another with a gliding flight - this is the decorated tree snake.
Snakes are quite unusual creatures, with an original appearance and unique, enchanting ways of movement. Their amazing behavioral features and the toxicity of many representatives have always attracted the attention of people. Snakes are the heroes of many myths and legends, often causing superstitious fear. To date, about 3,000 species of snakes have been discovered! Let's consider species of snakes famous for some peculiarities.
The common snake is the most common species of non-venomous snake in Eurasia. There is a distinctive mark on the head - a pair of light spots. The common one lives where it is humid, there are bodies of water, basks in the sun for a long time, and deftly climbs trees. He swims and dives well and can stay under water for a long time. When a person approaches, it tries to hide, hisses, but rarely bites. If picked up, it can stain the “invader” with belching and fluid from the cloaca, and then very skillfully pretends to be dead. It feeds on newts, frogs, and toads. The toad does not run away from the snake, but tries to scare it - it swells up, rises as high as possible, because large toad It’s difficult to swallow, and the poison from its skin is harmful to the snake. But these tricks do not always save the toad.
Reticulated python- this one long snake, the length recorded by scientists is 12 meters. These pythons live in Asia. The reticulated python can climb a tree for prey and loves water. The mother python is very responsible - she protects and warms her clutch, increasing her own body temperature by tensing her muscles. They are generally peaceful creatures, but they are capable of hunting poultry, piglets. And here it is close relative – tiger python, reaching 8 meters, often lives in Indian houses, helping to fight rodents.
Anaconda is the heaviest snake, its weight can reach two centners! This snake is very strong, because large bones there is none in her body, and such a decent weight falls mainly on muscles. The anaconda's nostrils are closed with special valves, thanks to which it can remain under water for a long time. It was once called a water boa. The anaconda gives birth to live young - it is ovoviviparous. Many Indian tribes value anaconda meat and skin.
Poisonous snakes
The common viper is the most common venomous snake in Russia and the most famous in Europe. It lives from forest-steppe to forest-tundra natural area, V taiga zone. Vipers often live in pairs on an area of 2-4 hectares. However, dozens of individuals can gather for the winter, forming “snake centers”. Two factors contribute to this. First of all, it's not so easy to find safe shelter, secondly, together it is easier for them to retain heat. In particularly harsh winters, cold-blooded animals can die en masse, which almost never happens to vipers. Even a temporary cold snap will not take them by surprise - they will hide in advance in their winter shelters located below the freezing zone. IN hibernation vipers can stay for six months, waking up early spring. They bask in the sun's rays at dawn and dusk, which helps them digest food, but they avoid direct rays. Juvenile vipers feed on insects, while the diet of adults is dominated by rodents. The bite of a common viper is not fatal to humans; it never attacks first, but hisses and makes false attacks in order to scare away. The viper has tubular poisonous teeth; when at rest, they lie in the mouth parallel to the palate. The teeth are movable - the mouth opens and they become perpendicular to the palate. Since they are quite large, this snake strikes with them like a knife. The venom paralyzes the snake's prey and speeds up the digestion process.
Sand epha is the owner of one of the most valuable poisons; it is used to create not only serums, but also medicines. On the sand, as if especially for snake catchers, she leaves her “autograph” - separate lines with a hook at the end, located parallel to each other, but at an angle to the line of movement. Sand is a poor support for the snake’s body, which is why this “sideways move” was developed. The snake pulls up the back part of its body and throws it forward and to the side, leaning on its side and not touching the sand with the middle part of its body, pulls up the front part. The movement itself is asymmetrical, in order to make the load on the muscles equal, the snakes crawl forward first on one side or the other. Efa is small (a little more than half a meter), her threat pose is two moving half rings and a hiss. The attack can be so lightning fast that even experienced hunters cannot always cope with this snake.
The king cobra is one of the most famous snakes, it is also the largest of all poisonous ones - up to 5.5 meters. This cobra's diet includes snakes of other species. The threat pose is a raised front part of the body and an inflated hood. Biting, the cobra injects significant volume poison that is potent. The quantity and quality of this poison can kill an elephant. However, she can regulate its secretion and, when biting a person, covers the ducts of the poisonous glands. Scientists suggest that the cobra saves its venom for real prey. A swift bite is impossible for a cobra - the teeth are short, in order to sink them deeper and inject poison, you have to repeatedly clench your jaws. Cobras make their nest on a mountain of leaves. The future offspring are often looked after by a couple; they immediately attack a potential enemy of their clutch.
A snake is an animal of the chordate type, class reptiles, order squamate, suborder snakes (lat. Serpentes). Like all reptiles, they are cold-blooded animals, so their existence depends on the ambient temperature.
Snake - description, characteristics, structure. What does a snake look like?
The body of the snake has an elongated shape and can reach a length of 10 centimeters to 9 meters, and the weight of the snake ranges from 10 grams to more than 100 kilograms. Males fewer females, but have more long tail. The body shape of these reptiles is varied: it can be short and thick, long and thin, and sea snakes have a flattened body that resembles a ribbon. Therefore, the internal organs of these scaly animals also have an elongated structure.
The internal organs are supported by more than 300 pairs of ribs, movably connected to the skeleton. The snake's triangular head has jaws with elastic ligaments, which makes it possible to swallow large food.
Many snakes are venomous and use venom as a means of hunting and self-defense. Since snakes are deaf, to navigate in space, in addition to vision, they use the ability to pick up vibration waves and thermal radiation. The main information sensor is the forked tongue of the snake, which allows it to “collect information” about the environment using special receptors inside the palate. Snake eyelids are fused transparent films, scales covering the eyes, therefore snakes don't blink and even sleep with their eyes open.
The skin of snakes is covered with scales, the number and shape of which depends on the type of reptile. Once every six months, the snake sheds its old skin - this process is called molting. By the way, the color of the snake can be monochromatic in species living in temperate zone, and variegated among representatives of the tropics. The pattern can be longitudinal, transversely circular or spotted.
Types of snakes, names and photographs.
Today, scientists know more than 3,460 species of snakes living on the planet, among which the most famous are adders, sea snakes (not dangerous to humans), pit snakes, pseudopods, which have both lungs, as well as rudimentary remains of the pelvic bones and hind limbs.
Let's look at several representatives of the snake suborder:
King cobra (hamadryad) (lat. Ophiophagus hannah)
The most gigantic poisonous snake on earth. Individual representatives grow up to 5.5 m, although the average size of adults usually does not exceed 3-4 m. King cobra venom is a deadly neurotoxin, causing death in 15 minutes. The scientific name of the king cobra literally means “snake eater”, because it is the only species whose representatives feed on snakes of their own kind. Females have an exceptional maternal instinct, constantly guarding the clutch of eggs and completely going without food for up to 3 months. The king cobra lives in the tropical forests of India, the Philippines and the islands of Indonesia. Life expectancy is more than 30 years.
Black mamba (lat. Dendroaspis polylepis)
The African venomous snake, growing up to 3 m, is one of the fastest snakes, capable of moving at a speed of 11 km/h. The highly toxic snake venom causes death in a matter of minutes, although the black mamba is not aggressive and attacks humans only in self-defense. Representatives of the black mamba species received their name due to the black coloration of the oral cavity. The snake's skin is usually olive, green or brown in color with a metallic sheen. Eats small rodents, birds and bats.
Fierce snake (desert taipan) (lat. Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
The most poisonous of land snakes, whose poison is 180 times stronger than poison cobras This species of snake is common in the deserts and dry plains of Australia. Representatives of the species reach a length of 2.5 m. Skin color changes depending on the season: in extreme heat it is straw-colored, when it gets colder it becomes dark brown.
Gaboon viper (cassava) (lat. Bitis gabonica)
The poisonous snake that lives in African savannas is one of the largest and thickest vipers, up to 2 m long and with a body girth of almost 0.5 m. All individuals belonging to this species, have a characteristic, triangular-shaped head with small horns located between the nostrils. The Gaboon viper has a calm character, rarely attacking people. It belongs to the type of viviparous snakes, breeds once every 2-3 years, bringing from 24 to 60 offspring.
Anaconda (lat. Eunectes murinus)
The giant (ordinary, green) belongs to the subfamily of boas; in former times the snake was called a water boa. The massive body, 5 to 11 m long, can weigh over 100 kg. The non-poisonous reptile is found in low-flow rivers, lakes and creeks of the tropical part South America, from Venezuela to the island of Trinidad. Feeds on iguanas, caimans, waterfowl and fish.
Python (lat. Pythonidae)
A representative of the family of non-venomous snakes is different gigantic size from 1 to 7.5 m in length, with females much larger and more powerful than males. The range extends throughout the eastern hemisphere: tropical forests, swamps and savannas African continent, Australia and Asia. The diet of pythons consists of small and medium-sized mammals. Adults swallow leopards, jackals and porcupines whole, and then digest them for a long time. Female pythons lay eggs and incubate the clutch, by contracting muscles, increasing the temperature in the nest by 15 -17 degrees.
African egg snakes (egg eaters) (lat. Dasypeltis scabra)
Representatives of the snake family that feed exclusively bird eggs. They live in savannas and woodlands of the equatorial part of the African continent. Individuals of both sexes grow no more than 1 meter in length. The movable bones of the snake's skull make it possible to open its mouth wide and swallow very large eggs. In this case, the elongated cervical vertebrae pass through the esophagus and, like a can opener, rip open the eggshell, after which the contents flow into the stomach, and the shell is coughed up.
Radiant snake (lat. Xenopeltis unicolor)
Not poisonous snakes, the length of which in rare cases reaches 1 m. The reptile received its name for the rainbow tint of its scales, which are dark brown in color. Burrowing snakes live in the loose soils of forests, cultivated fields and gardens in Indonesia, Borneo, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and China. Small rodents and lizards are used as food items.
Worm-shaped blind snake (lat. Typhlops vermicularis)
Small snakes, up to 38 cm long, resemble earthworms in appearance. Absolutely harmless representatives can be found under stones, melons and watermelons, as well as in thickets of bushes and on dry rocky slopes. They feed on beetles, caterpillars, and their larvae. The distribution area extends from the Balkan Peninsula to the Caucasus, Central Asia and Afghanistan. Russian representatives of this species of snake live in Dagestan.
Where do snakes live?
The distribution range of snakes does not include only Antarctica, New Zealand and the islands of Ireland. Many of them live in tropical latitudes. In nature, snakes live in forests, steppes, swamps, hot deserts and even in the ocean. Active image Reptiles lead their lives both during the day and at night. Species living in temperate latitudes hibernate in winter.
Despite the fear they instill in many people, snakes are actually endangered in their own natural environment. Due to the pressure caused by invasive species and the gradual destruction of their habitat, it is not at all surprising that there are a number of snakes that are at risk of extinction.
10. Wagner’s Viper
The species Vipera wagneri or spotted mountain viper is a venomous snake found in northwestern Iran and eastern Turkey. This snake lives at altitudes exceeding 1500 meters and prefers rocky or grassy areas. In 2008, the status of the Wagner's viper was changed to "endangered" due to concerns that the planned construction of a dam within its limited habitat would lead to the destruction of the viper's population.
The population of this species is also declining due to the fact that many people catch these snakes to keep as pets. It is believed that in wildlife fewer than 2,500 adults of the species remain. Its name comes from Moritz Wagner, a German explorer who found the first documented specimen in 1846. Due to the threat of extinction of these snakes, the St. Louis Zoo included them in their breeding program and nine babies were born at the zoo in August 2013.
9. Alcatrazes Lancehead
Photo: Claudio Timm
This snake scientific name which sounds like Bothrops Alcatraz is an endangered viper that lives on a small island off southeast coast Brazil. This snake gets its name from the island where it lives, Ilha de Alcatrazes. The island is a tiny rock with an area of only 1.35 square kilometers. It is part of the Alcatrazes archipelago. This snake faces a unique threat to its continued survival - the island is often used as a naval target area, putting the lives and habitat of these rare snakes at risk.
Caisca Alcatraz belongs to the rattlesnake family, which means that these snakes have a heat-sensitive organ in their heads that they use to find their prey. And like all other rattlesnakes, this species is deadly poisonous. The exact number of surviving alcatraz kaisaks is unknown, although it has been noted that they are quite common on the small island on which they are found.
8. Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
The Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake, or Crotalus catalinensis, is a small, slender rattlesnake, living exclusively on Santa Catalina Island in the Gulf of California. This rattlesnake is unique in that it lacks a functioning rattle. It is believed that this species of snake has lost its rattle in an attempt to better adapt to its environment, allowing it to silently sneak up on birds in the desert bush.
Their population is facing serious problems due to the presence of feral cats that prey on snakes. In addition, these relatively passive snakes were targeted for killing and illegal collection, further exacerbating their already precarious situation. Also, due to the declining population of their main prey, the staghorn hamster, there are concerns that the population of this rare species the snake may decline further. However, it is also hoped that a recent program to reduce the number of feral cats on the island will contribute to the conservation of these snakes.
7. Antiguan Racer
Alsophis antiguae, previously the world's rarest snake, has returned to relatively normal numbers as a result of concerted conservation efforts. The Antiguan snake lives on several small islands near the Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The Antiguan snake was previously native to the main island of Antigua, but was wiped out after the introduction of mongoose and black rats to the island. However, a small population of snakes has managed to survive on Great Bird Island, a low-lying islet located just a couple of kilometers off the coast of Antigua.
The species was considered extinct until it was rediscovered in the early 1990s. After successfully eradicating predatory rats from the island, the population of these snakes has increased to more than 900 individuals. In addition, these snakes began to be reintroduced to nearby islands. The Antiguan snake is a brown, non-venomous snake that is completely non-aggressive and easy to handle. Its diet consists almost exclusively of lizards that live on small offshore islands.
6. Darevsky’s Viper
Photo: Tigran Tadevosyan
Vipera darevskii is a venomous viper that lives only in northwestern Armenia and northeastern Turkey. The viper was named after Ilya Darevsky, who was the first person to find and identify this species. Due to its destruction natural environment habitat due to excessive grazing, the number of Darevsky's vipers is in decline. At last count there were only approximately 500 individuals left in the wild. This means that this snake is on the verge of extinction.
In addition, its habitat range is highly fragmented and small populations of snakes are spread across large territory. This viper's diet consists mainly of lizards, rodents and occasional insects. Darevsky's viper lives mainly at high altitudes on mountain ranges and spends part of its day basking in the sun to accumulate enough heat to move and hunt during the day. These snakes are an example of sexual dimorphism, meaning females are significantly larger than males.
5. Short-Nosed Sea Snake
This snake, whose scientific name is Aipysurus apraefrontalis, gets its name from the fact that it has a small head and a short, pointed snout. The Sahul reef snake prefers sandy areas with a small amount corals and can live up to 10 years in the wild. This species has so far only been found in the area of two reefs, Ashmore and Hibernia.
While this snake was once relatively common until the 1990s, its numbers have declined so much that no specimens have been found since 2000. While the reasons for the extinction of this snake within its habitat are unknown, it has been hypothesized that severe coral bleaching and degradation may be the primary cause of its extinction.
4. Woody Mascarene boa constrictor(Round Island Boa)
The species Casarea dussumieri, also known as Schlegel's Mascarene boa, is found exclusively on Round Island, Mauritius. The length of adults can reach 1.5 meters. Their color progresses from dark brown on the back to a lighter color on the belly with a few dark spots. The snake got its name from the small keeled scales that cover its body. The species was recently reintroduced to another island, Gunner's Quoin, and although Round Island boasted fewer than 250 adult boas in 1996, numbers have now increased to around 1,000. This was due in large part to the eradication of invasive species such as goats and rabbits, resulting in the return of much of their natural habitat.
These snakes are part of a captive breeding program that helps ensure their continued survival. They lay up to 12 eggs at a time and incubation usually lasts about 90 days.
3. Aruba Island Rattlesnake
Photo: Ltshears
The single-colored rattlesnake or Crotalus unicolor is rattlesnake, an endangered species endemic to the Caribbean island of Aruba, located off the coast of Venezuela. Snakes typically have uniform gray or light brown body coloring, although they also sometimes have diamond-shaped patterns on their backs. The snake leads night look life during hot weather summer months, but crawls out of cover in the cool mornings and afternoons.
This rattlesnake is viviparous, meaning that it gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Scientists estimate its lifespan to be approximately 20 years, and its diet consists primarily of rodents, birds and lizards. It is believed that there are only 230 surviving adults left in the wild and about 100 more adults in captivity. Unfortunately, this snake is threatened by expanding human activity. This species of snake has about 25 square kilometers of undisturbed habitat left in which it survives. The introduction of goats also had negative impact on the island's vegetation and further reduced the habitat of these snakes.
2. Orlov’s Viper
Photo: Reptil Virus
The species Vipera Orlovi is found mainly in the Black Sea region of Russia, where it is endemic Caucasus region. Orlov's viper was isolated in separate species only in 2001, it was previously thought to belong to the same species of the closely related Caucasian viper. This snake has a triangular head and long, venomous fangs that curl toward the roof of its mouth when it is not using them. Although the viper's colors and patterns may vary from individual to individual, they are typically brown, gray, or yellow-gray with brown or black zigzag stripes.
The diet of Orlov's vipers includes a wide range of foods such as mice, lizards, frogs and insects. There are believed to be fewer than 250 adult individuals left in the wild. The Orlov's viper suffers from widespread poaching due to its popularity as a pet. With less than 100 square kilometers of natural habitat remaining, the Orlov's viper is now considered a critically endangered species.
1. St Lucia Racer Snake
Photo: State Nature Reserve Saint Lucia National Trust
Although these snakes were once native to the island of St. Lucia, they were wiped out when invasive predators such as mongooses and black rats were introduced to the island and began killing these small snakes and eating their eggs. The species was effectively declared extinct in 1936, but was rediscovered on Maria Major in 1973, where the snakes managed to survive due to the absence of mongooses.
The maximum length of this non-venomous snake is just under 1 meter. The Saint Lucian snake is typically light brown in color with a distinctive brown stripe that runs from the neck to the tail. A recent study found that only 18 snakes of this species exist in the wild on the island of St. Lucia, making this species one of the rarest animals in the world. Huge efforts are currently being made to conserve and protect these snakes so that they do not become extinct.
The snow has long melted, the cold has finally receded, which means that connoisseurs active recreation outdoors, summer residents and lovers of country life begin to think about their own safety. The forest is not only a source fresh air, beautiful views, mushrooms and berries. Its shady massif serves as a home for a variety of creeping reptiles.
Snakes are cold-blooded reptiles. Their habitat is scattered across all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. The catalog containing the name of snakes contains about three thousand species. On the territory Russian Federation their numbers are limited. According to official data, only ninety species live on our territory. Among them there are individuals that pose a threat human life, as well as those who are completely harmless. Types of snakes and their names are of interest to many people who want to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Viper
This is perhaps the most well-known animal to Russians, falling into the category of “poisonous snakes”. This species has different names. They are often influenced by the reptile’s habitat. Common viper can be found in forests and forest-steppe zones. Favorite places to live are swamps, clearings, and areas near water bodies. It is most widespread in the European territory of the state, in Siberia, in Far East.
Has small size compared to others As a rule, it reaches a length of no more than seventy-five centimeters. But closer to the north there are individuals that grow up to one meter. The viper does not attack a person without reason. When meeting him, he usually tries to run away. Only in case of a threat does it take a defensive position: it hisses menacingly and makes warning throws. For this reason, you need to avoid sudden movements if you encounter a viper.
Already
By nature they are completely harmless creatures. Very often they die at the hands of a person who has not studied the names of snakes, their descriptions and differences from each other. very similar to a poisonous viper. People who confuse them with each other purposefully kill reptiles, wanting to protect themselves from being bitten. Got the snakes widespread throughout the European part of the state, with the exception of polar regions. Very common in the Far East, near Lake Baikal and Siberia. The name of snakes often influences the naming of the area in which they live. So, in Ukraine there is the city of Uzhgorod and the river Uzh, named after this animal.
They reach a length of ninety centimeters. They prefer to live near bodies of water with flowing water. Unlike Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians are in no hurry to kill snakes. Residents tame them. These harmless creatures are actually very easy to make contact with. And it won’t be difficult for a person to make friends with them. Cold-blooded snakes are naturally excellent mousecatchers. They can even be used on the farm.
Copperhead, or yellow snake
This reptile received its name due to its color. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a poisonous snake. She lives throughout the state. IN lately people began to increasingly destroy its natural habitats. This has led to the fact that the number of individuals of this species is rapidly declining. In addition, copperheads, like snakes, are destroyed by people themselves, mistaking them for poisonous snakes.
The length of the reptiles is relatively small, only seventy centimeters. Common habitats: forests in the Federation. Copperheads especially liked the edges of deciduous, coniferous or even mixed forests. Well-warmed ones are considered the most favorite habitat sun rays. It is extremely rare for copperheads to be found in open areas.
Gyurza
A direct relative of the viper. It belongs to its family, which means it is similarly poisonous. Compared to the viper, the viper is very large snake, with well-developed muscles. The length of the individual reaches one and a half meters. Lives on southern territory Siberia. The venom of the viper has many properties that allow doctors to appreciate and widely use it to create medicines. This snake itself is very brave. But despite this, she never attacks a person unless he himself provokes her. If the collision occurs unexpectedly, for example, a viper is stepped on, it immediately attacks the offender, like other snakes. Photos and names of other members of the family, for example the Armenian or big-nosed viper, can be found in any encyclopedia.
Cottonmouth
The name of the snakes in this category will be presented below. There are three types: Ussuri and stony. They are characterized by their habitat. The common copperhead lives over a fairly wide area from the mouth of the Volga River all the way to the banks Pacific Ocean. It reaches seventy centimeters in length, the color is dirty gray or brown with large dark spots located along the ridge. The head is covered with scutes, which is how the snakes got their name.
The animal's venom contains hemotoxins, which provoke heavy bleeding and widespread necrosis. In addition, it contains a certain percentage of neurotoxins that have a strong effect on nervous system human body, as well as causing paralysis. There have been no officially recorded deaths from a copperhead bite. However, this does not mean that you can safely provoke a snake when you meet. The bite is extremely painful, as are its consequences.
Tiger snake
The name of this species of snake comes from its characteristic color. Lives in the Far East. It has a bright green color with dark stripes across the body. In the front part of the body, the spaces between them are painted red. In length they reach a little more than a meter. They prefer to live in fairly damp places. They hunt frogs and fish.
The poisonous teeth of a tiger snake are located deep in the jaw, that is, they are created for prey that has already entered the mouth. If for any reason a snake manages to bite a person, he will suffer painful poisoning, very similar to the effects of viper venom. The bleeding is difficult to stop. After a bite, the victim should immediately contact a hematologist so that he can prescribe a course of special therapy.