Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Snakes are thought to have evolved from terrestrial lizards as early as the Middle Jurassic Epoch (174.1 million to 163.5 million years ago). The oldest known fossil snake, Eophis underwoodi, was a small snake that lived in southern England about 167 million years ago.
A snake is a reptile with a long, slender body but no arms or legs. Snakes are closely related to lizards. There are about 2,900 species, or kinds, of snake. The best-known…
Snakes, which are also called serpents, are characterized by their long, limbless bodies. They are among the best-known animals of the world. Because some snakes can be dangerous and vicious, people often treat all snakes with fear and loathing. However, most kinds of snakes are harmless. Snakes belong to the class Reptilia, which includes all ...
Python, any of about 40 species of snakes, all but one of which are found in the Old World tropics and subtropics. Most are large, with the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) of Asia being among the largest snakes in the world, attaining a maximum recorded length of 9.6 meters (31.5 feet).
Garter snake, any of about 35 species of nonvenomous snakes having a striped pattern suggesting a garter: typically, one or three longitudinal yellow to red stripes, between which are checkered blotches. Forms in which the stripes are obscure or lacking are often called grass snakes.
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined. Its venom, however, is lethal in less than 10 percent of untreated victims, but the snake’s aggressiveness means it bites early and often.
Snake - Scales, Venom, Slithering: Snakes have an elongated body and tail, and no limbs. Their body is usually slender, the body shape correlated with the activity level. The vertebral column has more vertebrae than any other living animal—up to 600.
Sea snake, any of more than 60 species of highly venomous marine snakes of the cobra family (Elapidae). There are two groups: the true sea snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae) and the sea kraits (subfamily Laticaudinae). Although their venom is the most potent of all snakes, human fatalities are rare.
The world’s largest venomous snake is the king cobra, or hamadryad (Ophiophagus hannah). Found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia, it preys chiefly on other snakes.
snake, Any member of about 19 reptile families (suborder Serpentes, order Squamata) that has no limbs, voice, external ears, or eyelids, only one functional lung, and a long, slender body. About 2,900 snake species are known to exist, most living in the tropics. Their skin is covered with scales.