Snakes how many species

You can try to figure out what kind it is by using these articles. Some snakes, such as the Eastern indigo snake, are designated as endangered or threatened species and are protected. There is no good reason to kill a snake except in the unlikely situation of a venomous snake posing immediate danger to people or pets.

Snakes usually bite people only if they are molested; it's their only means of self-defense. Even a venomous snake in the woods or crossing the road poses no threat and should be left alone. Also, most larger snakes travel in large areas, so one you see in your yard today may be far away tomorrow. The frequent sighting of snakes near dwellings or out-buildings may indicate the presence of rodents.

Removal of brush, lumber or other debris accumulations will discourage both rodents and snakes. There are roughly a hundred snake species listed by the IUCN Red List as endangered, typically due to habitat loss from development.

Most snakes live on land, but there are about 70 species of snakes that live in the Indian and Pacific oceans. All rights reserved. The red spotted pit viper is a venomous snake found primarily in Asia. How snakes hunt Snakes also have forked tongues, which they flick in different directions to smell their surroundings. Habits About once a month snakes shed their skin, a process called ecdysis that makes room for growth and gets rid of parasites. Sea snakes Most snakes live on land, but there are about 70 species of snakes that live in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

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Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. While body size, jaw anatomy and diet vary across snake species, several characteristics are similar to all snakes. Snakeskin is very dry and smooth, and snakes will shed their skin several times a year. The whole skin should come off in one layer, and underneath you have a new skin layer. Snakes also use their tongue in order to smell better.

All the modern snakes are grouped into suborder Serpentes. The suborder is further divided into two infraorders; Scolecophidia which comprises mainly of the blind snakes and Alethinophidia which include the non-blind snakes. Scolecophidia comprised of about known species while Alethinophidia is made up of over 2, species and sometimes split into Henophides and Caenophides.

As indicated above, snakes are divided into two main infraorders; Alethinophidia and Scolecophidia. Alethinophidia is further divided into 19 families Colubridae the largest with 1, species , Elapidae species , Viperidae species , Lamprophiidae species , Boidae 60 species , and Uropeltidae 55 species.

Other snake species in this infraorder include wart snakes, false coral snakes, splitjaw snakes, pythons, and dragon snakes. Infraorder Scolecophidia is made up of five families, mainly consisting of the blind snakes.