Christopher Nicholas - Snakes

Some are as short as a pencil. Others are as long as a telephone pole! There are almost 3,000 different kinds of them in the world. And even though most are harmless, many people are afraid of them. What are they? (Hint: turn the page to find out...) WHAT IS A SNAKE? It is a reptile! So are lizards, turtles, alligators, and crocodiles. Snakes are cold - blooded. (People are warm - blooded. (People are warm - blooded.

Our body temperature stays at about 98.6F (37C) no matter where we are!) Snakes often bask in the sun to warm themselves up, then hide in the shade to cool off. Answer: SNAKES!

A snakes body is covered with hard little plates called scales . It may look wet and slimy, but it is actually dry. Snakes dont have legs so they cant walk! They have to glide on their bellies, or move their bodies from side to side, to get where they want to go. Scarlet Kingsnake Snakes have two eyes. But they dont have eyelids so they cant blink! Many snakes can see very well.

They dont have ears, but snakes hear by feeling vibrations as they slither across the ground. And they can smell with the help of their forked tongue! Rattlesnake

One thing a snake does have is sharp teeth! Scaly skin No legs No eyelids No ears Forked tongue Sharp teeth Bodies Rattlesnakes have heat detectors on their faces which help them sense the body heat of another animal. Cool! s Sidewinder WHERE DO SNAKES LIVE? All over the world! But they especially like to be where it is warm. Snakes can be found in jungles, deserts, swamps, and forests. Sometimes they are even in your own backyard! Sidewinder Eastern Ribbon Snake Green Mamba They climb through the trees . . hide in grass and among rocks . . . and glide across the sand. Jungles Deserts Swamps Forests Grass, rocks, trees, and sand Oceans, lakes, rivers Underground Live In... Jungles Deserts Swamps Forests Grass, rocks, trees, and sand Oceans, lakes, rivers Underground Live In...

Some even swim in oceans, lakes, and rivers! s Banded Sea Snake At the approach of the cold season, some snakes find a hole or den to sleep in until it becomes warm again.

WHAT DO SNAKES EAT? They eat meat! Thats why they are called carnivores a big word that means meat - eaters. Most snakes feed on small animals. But larger snakes can eat big animals! Copperhead Mexican Milk Snake Insects and worms Frogs and lizards Mice, rats, and rabbits Birds Larger animals Other snakes Eat s Some snakes eat other snakes! HOW DO SNAKES CATCH AND KILL THEIR FOOD? Snakes are sneaky! Sometimes they hide and wait for a meal to pass by. Other times they creep up on an animal and attack with their sharp teeth! Some snakes use their big, hollow fangs to give victims a shot of deadly venom. Asp Viper One kind of cobra can blind animals by spitting venom into their eyes.

Cobra

Some snakes use their big, strong bodies to SQUEEZE the life out of an animal. This is called constriction . Sharp teeth Poison Constriction How Get Food s Emerald Tree Boa Its kind of like when your aunt comes to visit and gives you a killer hug! It can take an hour to get a big animal into a snakes belly and weeks to digest it! Snakes have very strong stomach juices that can dissolve even bones and teeth. HOW DO SNAKES EAT AND DIGEST THEIR FOOD? They always swallow a meal whole sometimes while it is still alive! Swallow meals whole Use specially hinged, wide - opening jaws Have strong stomach juices s Eating and Digestion Ball Python With its specially hinged jaws, a snake can swallow animals larger than its own head! HOW DO SNAKES PROTECT THEMSELVES? Any way they can! Snakes are great hunters but sometimes they get hunted themselves. Large birds, crocodiles, and other animals love a tasty snake snack. Some hide by blending into their surroundings.

This is called camouflage . Others are brightly colored to warn predators that they may be venomous! The rattlesnake will hiss loudly and rattle its tail to frighten enemies. Sand Viper Coral Snake Rattlesnake

The rubber boa curls into a ball and hides its head if attacked. And the hognose snake rolls over and plays dead! The black mamba moves as fast as miles (11 km) per hour to escape predators. Camouflage Bright warning colors Frightening sounds Curling up Playing dead Moving quickly How Protect Themselves s Rubber Boa Black Mamba Hognose Snake