Snake Facts
There are more than 2,700 snakes varieties spread all over the world in temperate and warm climates; the only part of the globe where snakes cannot live is Antarctica. 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. Venomous 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. Chronological research indicates that, the history and origins of snakes go back to the Cretaceous period, some 150 million years ago, when it appears that snakes evolved from a lizard and adapted to a different living habitat.
Some modern species still carry primitive distinctive marks, this is the case with pythons and boas that still carry vestiges of hind limbs, which only point to a past when snakes resembled lizards a lot more. Snakes or serpents making the subject of symbolic creations and being widely represented in artistic form. Worshiped or hunted down as evil creatures, snakes surely have a fascination on human mind; 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 balance of ecosystems. And they couldn't be more right.
There are many aspects in the life of snakes that fascinate scientists and indicate that not everything has been discovered 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 incredible 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.
Common habitats for humans and snakes are a reality, and people from areas with a higher variety of snake groups and sub-groups develop skills to distinguish between the hazardous or harmless varieties, and thus avoid them accordingly. Non-venomous snakes are not that friendly when sensing danger, therefore, a healthy attitude towards such animals will save you a lot of trouble. Do not attempt to kill, catch or hunt snakes: they only feed and defend themselves as they cannot hold grudge and follow you just for the sake of biting. Be extremely cautious when keeping snakes as pets.