Facts about Snakes

 

Snakes can be just as beautiful as a butterfly! They slither across the forest floor and come in a large variety of colours and patterns. They have been charmed by humans, used in performances and some people have them as household pets. Although memorizing to watch, snakes can also be deadly to humans and have stirred emotions in all of us for years. They are a very successful reptile, and are current living in every continent except Antarctica. With over 3400 species of snakes, they have been very successful adapting over the years with changing climates and environments.  Snake watching is an exciting event, lighting up the grounds, like slithering colourful jewels.

 

Although they may look slippery, the skin of a snake is dry and composed of scales which allows it to grip onto the surface allowing it to move without any limbs. They do not have very good eyesight and rely on their sense of smell. Using their forked tongues they slip it in and out using it to smell out a potential meal. Pit vipers, pythons, and some boas have infrared-sensitive receptors in deep grooves on the snout, which allow them to "see" the radiated heat of warm-blooded prey mammals.

 

When eating they do not chew or tear their prey apart, they must eat the prey whole. Snakes are able to widen their jaws larger than their head, because the sides of the jaw can move independently of one another. When a snake rests its jaws on a surface have sensitive stereo hearing which can detect the position of prey. Snakes are carnivores, eating small animals including lizards, frogs, other snakes, small mammals, birds, eggs, fish, snails or insects.

 

Non-poisonous snakes, such as a Vine Snake eat their prey, such as mice and other rodents whole or by winding their bodies around the prey and squeezing it to death. Poisonous snakes such as the popular Bush Viper is strikes its prey injecting poisonous venom. 

 

They shed off their skin, called moulting to remove any mites or ticks with older snakes moulting once or twice a year, while younger snakes up to four times since it is still growing.

 

Most species of snakes lay eggs, but most snakes abandon the eggs shortly after laying. However, a few species such as the King Cobra, construct nests and stay in the vicinity of the hatchlings after incubation and remain with the eggs until they hatch.

 

When travelling to Central and South America, you will see plenty of these beautifully coloured snakes. Be sure to keep your distance. They can be hidden in a tree above or beside you. Be sure to watch out for the Bushmaster snake, as it is very poisonous to humans.

 

When on the Costa Rica or Ecuador Tour we have guide to ensure your safety during the night walks.