With the exception of Antarctica, snakes are everywhere on the globe in warm and temperate geographical areas. 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. Poisonous snakes are far less numerous in this incredibly large reptile family, but their toxic poison is so powerful that it could kill a human being within a few minutes. According to studies, the history and origins of snakes are lost in the Cretaceous period, some 150 million years ago, when snakes are assumed to have evolved from a lizard and adapted to a different living environment.
Some modern species still carry primitive distinctive marks, this is the case with pythons and boas that still have hind limbs remains, which only make us think of a past when snakes were more lizard-like than they are today. Snakes or serpents making the subject of symbolic creations and being widely illustrated in the arts. Mankind hunted down or worshiped snakes throughout its history; yet, modern attitudes are partly different towards snakes particularly under the emphasis of the ecological movements that insist on the importance of these creatures for the balance of ecosystems. And many factors confirm such opinions.
Fascinating details in the lives of snakes 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’ sensitivity to vibrations, the superior sense of smell and even the reception of low frequency sounds make them pretty out of the ordinary. Infrared sensitivity and the ability to detect body warmth from the distance, causes further awe among snakes researchers.
Snakes share their habitat with us, and people from areas with a higher density of snake groups and sub-groups develop skills to distinguish between the hazardous or harmless varieties, and thus they reduce the risk of snakebites. Non-venomous snakes are not that friendly when threatened, therefore, a healthy attitude towards such animals will save you a lot of trouble. Do not attempt to catch, hunt or kill 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.