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Snakes - Pictures
Snakes - Pictures - General Info
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Picture source:
Animal Diversity Web © 1995-2004
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
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Snakes have always been a matter of interest for scientists as well as for ordinary people. Many people dislike snakes or have a sheer pathologic fear for them. That is probably because of their predatory nature. In literature, snakes are basically presented as "messengers of the evil." Take any fairy tale and read it carefully and you can see that symbolism. A peevish woman or just a mean person is more often than not referred to as a "viper." If the child, who has grown up happens to be, to put it mildly, way different in his/her character or actions from what his/her parents expected, we say they "have cherished a viper in their bosom". Only these few facts are proof enough to demonstrate the general attitude towards snakes.
Snakes - Pictures - Origin
Despite all that, there are a number of people that take great interest in studying snakes. There is still little clarity in their origin and their initial shape. Snakes are believed by many to have sprung from lizards. However, there is no certainty because they are limbless. Some species have rudimentary locomotive parts in their hindquarters. The lack of limbs facilitates burrowing and hunting. It is interesting to note that recently a fragmentary fossil of an ancient primitive snake dating back 95 million years ago has been discovered in Israel in marine sediments. It had two short muscular legs in the back of the body. This discovery has largely given proof for marine ancestry of snakes.
Snakes - Pictures - Anatomy
Snakes have long highly developed flexible vertebral column and muscular system. Numerous horn plates, covering the body, provide reliable protection against mechanical influence. Snakes change skin several times a year. Limbs are mostly absent or rudimentary. Internal organs are linear, as a rule, only one lung is developed. Snakes have no ears. They are apt to sense low frequency signals as they are transmitted through the soil. Their skull receives these signals. Jaws are highly movable and flexible. Sharp fangs are curved backward leaving a victim zero chance to escape. Venomous snakes have a groove inside connected to the modified salivary gland, producing venom. A snake's forked tongue is an excellent organ of sense. It is connected to a chemosensory organ placed near the roof of the mouth, which allows a snake to taste surrounding objects. Snakes have keen eyes, no eyelid. Snakes can't roar or wail for lack of vocal chords but they have the ability to produce a hissing sound.
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