I’m a Snake

Snakes are solitary creatures.

Snakes live in the wild in grasslands, forests, mountains, deserts, swamps, rainforests and marshes.

They prefer warm, shady and cool environments.

Snakes slither on the ground and also live in trees and are very sneaky.

They can scare animals and humans because they’re long and make a hissing noise as they move and they have a quick instantaneous bite action.

They usually catch their prey by surprise and off guard.

Snakes come in all types.

There are snakes that secrete venom to neutralize or kill their prey and there are snakes that have no venom at all.

The cobra is venomous from its bite as is the rattlesnake.

The boa constrictor doesn’t have venom but it traps its prey with its mouth, bites down with its teeth and squeezes, constricting it with its long body.

The longest snake in the world is the Green Anaconda measuring 30 feet in length feeding on animals as large as deer, pig and jaguar in addition to rodents and birds.

The smallest snake in the world is the Barbados thread snake measuring a tiny 4 inches feeding on insects.

There are nearly 3,600 species of snakes worldwide.

Snakes live in most places in the world with the exception of Antarctica, Iceland and Greenland where it’s too cold.

Snakes are not native to Ireland or New Zealand hence no snakes there either.

There are many snakes that aren’t venomous and are domesticated.

One of the most popular domesticated snake is the ball python which is docile and a smaller snake approximately 5 feet in length that can make for an ideal pet if properly taken care of.

In caring for a pet snake you need an adequately sized terrarium, a docile snake from a reputable breeder, a room with proper lighting and temperature controls, daily food and water and safety measures in place.

Snakes have varying lifespans with some living as long as 20 years and longer in captivity.

Zoos house all types of snakes with staff properly trained to handle each species.

Snakes are not for the faint of heart but you can learn a lot from them.

They require a great deal of care.

Snakes are portrayed in movies and one that sticks out in my mind is Raider’s of the Lost Arc where Indiana Jones is surrounded by thousands of them slithering around him. Even he’s afraid of snakes.

The reality is that there are snakes that are dangerous and snakes that make for good pets.

You want the ones that make for good pets but always keep them separated from each other.

I am shy and safe and one of the smaller sizes. I just need a little loving care.

I’m a snake.