Apparently, snakes evolved from lizards. Cold
blooded, these reptiles are more evident in warm climates. Many reproduce by
laying eggs (soft and leathery). However, in colder climates, where incubation
may be compromised, live births occur.
Allegedly, humans fear snakes because they are
conditioned through evolution to fear threats. Actually, snakes avoid
confrontation, but they injure when disturbed. Though more species are
nonvenomous, they still bite. Venomous snakes use fangs to inject venom
(saliva), often striking below the knee. Fortunately, defensive dry bites (no
venom released) are common, since snakes intend to subdue prey and not
humans.
In
this country, annual estimates reveal 7,000-8,000 venomous snake bites on
humans, resulting in as few as 5 fatalities because exceptional treatment is
available. Comparatively, car-deer accidents cause around 200
fatalities—habitat fragmentation forces deer into traffic.
Florida has about 44 snake species, and 6 are
venomous: copperhead, cottonmouth, coral, and three rattlesnakes—diamondback,
canebrake, and pygmy. In addition, beware of released or escaped pythons
(constrictors) invading the Everglades.
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| Pygmy Rattler visits back porch - photo Brett Pigon |
Rattlesnakes cause more deaths. They warn with a
hiss, coil, or rattle. However, if stepped on, they strike immediately. Coral
snakes are sometimes handled when mistaken for colorful nonvenomous mimics;
displayed is red, yellow, and black banding, but red on yellow will kill a
fellow. Furthermore, coral snakes have round pupils and not elliptical (slit)
pupils like most venomous snakes.
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| Venomous coral snake - yellow on black - photo Brett Pigon |
Prey
for snakes includes rodents (especially around farms), insects, and other
snakes. Milk snakes seek rodents and not cows. Pythons may consume
deer.
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| Milk snake, coral imitator - black on yellow - photo Brett Pigon |
Snakes prey efficiently: legless bodies quietly
slither (boas and pythons, primitive reptiles, display claw-like remnants of
hind limbs); because snakes have no outer ears, jawbones transmit vibration to
inner ears; forked tongues flick to pick up scent; a pit viper senses the heat
of prey with a pit between the eyes and nostrils.
To
subdue, these carnivores grip by their teeth, inject venom, or squeeze. They do
not chew food. Prey, often larger than predators, is swallowed whole, usually
headfirst, and alive or dead. Expandable jaws
allow mouths to open wide to
swallow. Throats, stomachs, and intestines also stretch.
Periodically, snakes shed their skins which have
silky, not slimy, scales. Transparent scales which protect eyes are also shed.
(Eyes are seemingly hypnotic without eyelids.) Molting involves rubbing heads
against hard or rough objects until peeling occurs. Eventually, snakes crawl
out of old skins which turn inside out in the process.
Undeniably, these creatures are beneficial. They
control pests, and their venom helps blood-clotting disorders and may help stop
cancer. So, prudently walk away from snakes. Or live in Antarctica where there
are none!
