The serpent has gotten the worst reputation in history, nearly through no fault of it’s own
as most animals are born with a primal instinct to fear the snake. An evolutionary bonus
to some creatures since many snakes are poisonous. In fact, most snakes are venomous,
although usually it’s a rear fanged protein agent. The rarer front fanged venom is always
deadly, often fatal nerve attacking concoction nature equipped the snake with to capture
prey much faster than the snake himself. Most snakes are ambush predators that feed on
warm blooded prey, the exceptions are slender, quick snakes, mostly water snakes that
feed on fish or the terrestrial variety that survives off insects. I will try to overviews as
many snakes that I am familiar with as categorized by their life style, as the snake is
progress at perfection, streamlined predators adept at survival.
To begin, at clearing centuries of persecution, I would like to explain how the
snake sees the world. It’s a very interesting view indeed. Snakes have three basic means
of vision, their eyesight itself is poor and unreliable at best, so when a geriatric python
looses his eyesight, it is of no consequence. Their eyes can vaguely make out shape, size
and depth perception in shades of unremarkable grey. What adds vibrant color to this
picture is the Jacob’s organ located in the brain, snakes flick out their forked tongues to
taste the air and pull sent molecules back into the Jacobs organ. This is a very mysterious
process also employed by the beloved dog. The best explanation is that the senses of taste
and smell are so closely linked, the act of eating is unimportant. The scents of food, a
rival male, predator or available female are sprung into depiction for the snake. The third,
and most interesting attribute are the labial pits, located on the snakes snout and coated in
a chemical that adds a sixth sense to the world. The snake sees heat. This ability is not
seen in any other animal on earth and the human replication of it is still fairly new technology. A snake’s view of the world is arguably better than any other animal. And
undoubted better for pure survival. Remember how a snake sees before sticking your had
at one, you are warm, smell like a mammal, and possible edible size. When a person is bit
by a snake, particularly a captive one, it is never the snake’s fault.
A snake eating is fascinating, often being compared to a human tying their hands
behind their back and swallowing a whole watermelon! This description is not far off.
The snake has a detachable jaw, that can work independently side to side to bring prey
into the neck, then the muscles take over contracting the prey item whole into the
stomach, where it will remain a visible lump for several days.
The snake digestion is so
efficient that it will digest bones, entrails, and all tissues, leaving only the fur to be
excreted later. Some snakes may go months before needing another meal, making them
far from the vicious killer they are so often made out to be. Even the infamous cobras
and rattle snakes, look for a warm, sunny spot to thermal regulate and relax in solitude
after a feeding and it’s a human’s own choice to disturb them for whatever reason.
Sometimes human interaction with a snake is pure accident, but more often it is
folly. All snakes desire peace and privacy from other creatures, and most animals have
the common sense and courtesy to bestow it on them. Even the worlds most dangerous
snakes don’t like wasting venom on defense when it could be saved for tomorrow‘s
supper. The primary reason snakes and humans meet undesirably is human expansion
onto the snake’s natural habitat. Or the fact that humans draw rodents to their domiciles,
actually making the snake an asset! Free pest control for everyone, thanks to snakes and
the equally unpopular spider! Nature has a balance for taking out disease spreading
critters such as insects and rodents. Now, if only that was the popular opinion.
Not many people like serpents, or they like them for the ‘macho appeal’ of
owning a dangerous carnivore. Anyone who really wants a venomous snake for non
medical reasons seriously needs lots of help. Snakes deserve respect. They have survived
and evolved efficiently for thousands of years. Some scientist believe that snakes evolved
from burrowing lizards, evidenced by the cloacae spurs near their vents. These can very
loosely be called appendages. Their only known function is used in mating, to help
position a male on a female. Not that the male snake has much trouble mating, he has
what’s known as a hemi-penis. They possess two penises, forked just like their tongues.
Streamlined indeed, from head to, well, you know.