THEY AE=RE LIVING CREATURES JUST LIKE YOU!! e King Cobra e longest venomous snake in the world is the King Cobra. is is a snake that has many people worried because of the way they look and the size of them. ere are many deaths that they are help responsible for too. However, it is usually from the infection and so proper medical treatment is very important. ere are many sub species of Cobras but this is the largest one. ey can grow up to 18 ½ feet! However, in most locations they are going to be about 12 feet in length. When they are fully grown they will weigh about 13 pounds. e males tend to be thicker around and to be longer. ey also feature a wide head that is very large overall. ey are fast moving snakes with amazing agility. e color for the King Cobra will depend on the location where they live. ey need colors that allow them to have sufficient camouflage. at provides them with the cover they need for finding prey as well as remaining harder for predators to locate. Olive green is the main base color of most of them. However, you will find those that have black and tan on them. ere will always be some types of bands that run over them from the top down. ose will usually be yellow in color. ey have a cream or light yellow on the belly. ey feature scales along the belly that are smooth to the touch. ey also have very sharp fangs with teeth that turn inward. e overall appearance of the King Cobra gives it a look that appears to be very intense as well as fierce. Behavior ey have one of the longest forked tongues of all snake species. ey use it to help them sense what is going on around them. ey are able to smell with it and they also use receptors in their mouth to taste what they smelled. is helps the brain to decide if what is around them is something they may want to eat, if it is a threat, or if they should retreat from it. is is one of the few species of snakes that has very good vision. ey are known to be able to identify prey that is up to 300 feet away from them. ey are highly aggressive and will give hissing sounds and hold the head up high when they are going to strike. ey o en give off such sounds too in an effort to keep other snakes out of their territory. Habitat and Distribution is species of snake is mainly found around the areas of India and Asia. ey live in locations that offer a thick forest region. is allows them to be hard to find due to the colorations they offer. e risk of coming into contact with one of them in such forest locations is very high. ey tend to stick in the dense places though that typically aren t disturbed. If you stay on the main paths you can significantly reduce your chances of coming along and surprise one of them in their natural habitat. is particular type of snake is also one that stays close to bodies of water. ey are highly adaptable and that has accounted for them being found in many unusual places. When construction is taking place in their natural habitat they are going to span out and see where they can go that will allow them to have the shelter and the food resources they need. Diet and Feeding Habits e venom that the King Cobra captures is going to be quickly immobilized by the venom that they offer. is will then allow them to open up the jaws widely and swallow the prey whole. ey will do most of their hunting at night but don t be surprised if you see them active during daylight hours as well. Reproduction e males will be attracted to the females for mating by powerful scents she gives off. Many males may all be headed in the direction of the same female. As a result she can be very selective about who she will be with. She may become very agitated during this period of time though due to all of the attention. A er mating she will start to create eggs in her body. She will spend some time finding a location that offers heat for the eggs to be incubated. She also wants a place that is well hidden from various predators. Piles of leaves are common places where such eggs are deposited. You can have from 20 to 40 of them at a time. e female is going to keep a close watch on her eggs, and that is when humans are at the greatest risk of being bitten. She will perceive anything that comes along as a threat to her young. As they start to come out of the shells though she will finally venture away to go find food. ese young are common meals for predators soon a er they are born. It can be very difficult for them to go find food and shelter once they are born. However, there are enough of them that do survive the process that they aren t in any danger of population concerns. Predators e Mongoose is one of the main predators of the King Cobra in the wild. Various types of birds including Hawks and Eagles can also be a threat to them. Most of the time such predators go a er the eggs and try to consume them before they hatch. ey will also consume the young that have emerged from them and are out there alone trying to survive. ey are quite vulnerable during that stage of life. Humans continue to be a threat to the King Cobra though. ey destroy the natural habitat to make room for their own benefits such as for farming and for industry. ey are sold as part of the pet trade too due to so many people wanting ownership of such a mysterious and dangerous snake. In many areas it is illegal to own them due to the risk of them biting people or getting loose. However, this has only fueled the desire that many people have for owning one. ey buy them on the black market for a premium price. Venomous Bite or Danger to Humans is is one of the most dangerous of all snakes in the world when it comes to humans and bites. e pain is unbearable and unlike anything you have experienced before. It is necessary to get medical treatment immediately because the venom will spread rapidly. A person can be extremely ill in an hour or two a er the bite occurs. It is important to understand that the King Cobra has a very long striking distance. In a matter of seconds they can strike up to 7 feet from where they are located. is is one of the reasons why people do get bit. e other factor is that this is one snake that has a rapid fire response. ey may only bite once but in most cases they will do it over and over again in a matter of seconds.
2 DON'T HATE ON SNAKES, APPRECIATE!!! e American Copperhead e American Copperhead is one of the snakes in the world that creates venom. ey are o en called just the Copperhead for short. In some locations they are referred to as the Moccasin Snake. No matter what name you hear it by you should be careful around them. is is a very dangerous type of snake and one that produces very dangerous venom. ere are 5 subspecies that have been identified. When they are fully grown they may be as long as 3 feet. e males of this species of snake are longer than the females. It is typically the other way around so many people get them mixed up when it comes to the American Copperhead. ey feature a head that is very large and a downward facing snout. e color of them is a tan and allows them to easily blend into their surrounding area. ey feature cross bands that also match the coloring of the ground. is is why there are so many different colors of them out there. ey o en have darker coloring on the ends of the body than in the middle sections. On the belly they feature spotted areas of brown. Behavior Most of the time the American Copperhead is a nocturnal creature, coming out only at night. However, when it begins to get colder they will start to be noticed out during the day. ey need the warmer temperatures as they are cold blooded. ey like to hide in places that humans may be cleaning up too. is includes in leaves that are piled in the yard so you should take caution. is is one of the few types of snakes that may spend time with each other. ey are found to hibernate with each other during the winter months. ey are also known to stay around the Black Rat Snake in some locations as well. As the warmer temperatures come around again they will disperse. ey typically will go back to their original environment again at that time. Habitat and Distribution ere are many locations out there called home to the American Copperhead. ey include all over North America. States including Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Kansas are among those locations. However, the pet trade has significantly contributed to this species of snake being found all over around the world. ey are common in the Midwest states with large populations in Illinois and Iowa. ey are also found in the far east such as around New Jersey and New York. Some of the sub species have been identified as living around Mexico and South Carolina. ey are able to live in swampy regions as well as wetland areas and forests. ey like areas that are very warm which is why they do so well along the Gulf of Mexico. Diet and Feeding Habits Insects account for the majority of the food that these snakes will consume. ey do eat frogs and lizards though as well. ey are very patient when it comes to waiting for prey to come along. Rodents are very o en consumed as well. ey are typically found on the ground but when they have a hard time finding food they will climb into the trees. If the prey is small the snake will swallow it immediately. When they are dealing with larger prey though they will release venom to subdue it. If not, they will let it go and follow it. e venom can take some time to work but it will. Once the venom has immobilized it they will swallow it. ey are very patient about such efforts. Reproduction is particular snake takes part in mating during the later part of the summer. ey are known to mate annually but not always. ey may wait several years if there is a lack of habitat or food for them. ey give birth to live young with a low amount of them 4 to 7. However, they don t care for their young at all once they are born. ese young have to instinctively be able to do so. is accounts for the reason why they have such a high rate of mortality. e young have a yellow tip to their tail and it helps them to attract food. For example frogs o en think that wiggling tail is a worm. Predators ere are a few known predators of the American Copperhead in their natural environment. Various types of birds including Owls and Hawks will consume them. Raccoons o en feed on them as well. e Possum can be a threat in some locations as well. All of these predators will consume them when they are small though. As the snakes become larger there is less and less of a risk that such predators will mess with them. e Red Fox has become one predator too in recent years. is is due to their natural habitat being eliminated. e Northern Ringed Neck Snake will also consume them. ere are many habitats out there where the home of them and the American Copperhead overlap. As their habitats close in that seems to become more and more frequent that they will be fighting for the same space. Humans are one of the main predators for the American Copperhead. When humans decide to clear out land for their own use they destroy the natural habitat of the snakes. Even though they are highly adaptable it can cause over crowding in certain locations. It can also make the fight for food one that is very difficult. e American Copperhead is o en sold on the pet trade as an exotic animal. People love to have something so unique and even dangerous in their possession. Before you get one though you better think about the consequences. One bite and you will be wishing you had gone with something less aggressive to own. Some people just don t like the risk of any types of snakes. erefore they go out and hunt and kill them as o en as they can. is is one species of snake that has a very bad reputation. Most people don t really feel bad about destroying them or their environment. ey feel it is an action they take that can help to protect humans. Venomous Bite or Danger to Humans e American Copperhead is known for being very aggressive and to bite humans but only when surprised. ey bite as a natural defense when they feel that they are in danger. ey do have a venom that will be released when they bite. However, that venom isn t very potent at all. ey o en don t bite as hard as they are able to the first time. at is typically going to be a warning for danger to back off. ey may not have any venom at all in it. However, the biggest side effect from it is that a person may feel nauseated and then start to vomit. e bite area will also be red, inflamed, and throbbing. Medical care is important to ensure that any infection won t occur. Some people do have an allergic reaction to such venom. is can result in them suffering from internal damages including tissue loss if they don t get adequate medical care for an American Copperhead. e Black Mamb a e Black Mamba is considered to be the longest of all snakes found around Africa. It is also considered to be one of the deadliest. It features a very powerful venom and that has many people running scared from it. ey are fast moving snakes and they are know to be aggressive and strike in a moments notice. It is possible for this snake to be about 14 feet in length. However, it is quite thin with an overall size of about 3 ½ pounds. In spite of being so thin though they are very strong. is is also a very fast moving type of snake so don t underestimate what you are dealing with. You may be puzzled why they have such a name though as they aren t black in color. Instead they are gray, green, or yellow. e color will depend on the natural habitat of the species. ey have to be able to blend in if they want the best chance of finding prey. is camouflage also helps them to reduce the chances of being noticed by various predators. ey do have black inside of the mouth though which is very unique for any species of snake. Many people believe them to be evil due to that particular characteristic. It is a myth that has been passed down in many cultures for hundreds of years.
DON'T HATE ON SNAKES, APPRECIATE!!! 3 is particular snake is able to move at a speed of up to 12 miles per hour for long distances. Behavior Even though they are very aggressive they do take the chance to run when they can. Since this snake is so fast they will o en do so. However, if they feel backed into a corner, they have eggs around them, or they are agitated they will strike fast. When they move quickly they are able to remove about 1/3 of the body from the ground. It is really amazing to see! ere is as great deal we still don t know regarding the behaviors of the Black Mamba. Due to their speed and the fact that they stay well hidden it isn t safe or practical for experts to be in their natural habit to see what they are doing. It is known that they will hiss and open the mouth wide when they feel a threat. When they do bite they will do so several times consecutively. is is another reason why they are so dangerous to humans. ey can strike faster than human eyes can see them moving the tongue in and out. e amount of venom that can be released with each strike is very high. Habitat and Distribution ere are several well known places around Africa where the Black Mamba lives. ey include Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. e largest numbers of them are believed to be around the Republic of Congo. ey can live as high up as 5,900 feet but they tend to live lower. However, with their natural habitat continually being depleted and food sources taken they are adapting where they can in order to be able to survive. ey will find just about any location out there a good home as long as their basic needs can be met. ey live in the swamps, the woods, the forest, and even along the savannah. ey are able to thrive on very little food, where it is hot, where there is humidity, and more. In fact, once this snake makes an environment home it is almost impossible to get them out of there. Diet and Feeding Habits You will usually find the Black Mamba living in the trees. ey can find plenty of food there. Plus, they have plenty of great camouflage to keep them well hidden in such an environment. ey are able to sit around and wait for various sources of food to come along. ey can bite and inject strong venom with a single bite or more to their prey. ey will release it when they are done as the prey will be immobile. Reproduction e Black Mamba is going to take part in the mating process in the spring or the summer months. ey need warm temperatures though so the time frame can vary based on location. e males are going to come to the habitat of the females. ey may have to fight each other along the way so their level of aggression and tension will increase during this period of time. e females are very selective about mates but it isn t understood why she will turn some males away. Others though are welcome to stay for a short period of time and to mate with her. Once mating is done though she wants no part of being around him. She will become extremely aggressive if he doesn t leave. She may have 10 25 eggs created in her body. She will release them into an area of vegetation that is warm as the eggs need heat to complete the process of incubation. ey have to be able to care for themselves as she will disappear as soon as she is done with the eggs. ere are only a handful of the young that will reach the age of maturity. e first few days and weeks of life end quickly for most of them. ey aren t fast enough or skilled enough to stay away from predators. Predators e Black Mamba doesn t have to worry too much about predators out there in the wild. e Mongoose though is one that is does have to reckon with. ey aren t going to be bullied into running off. ey also have a resistance to the bite and the venom from this snake. ey are most likely to find the eggs that have been deposited or feed on the young snakes that haven t been out of the eggs for long. It is unusual that they will try their luck with a full grown Black Mamba snake. Cape File Snakes are a common predator in some locations. Humans tend to be the biggest problem for these snakes though. Due to them being so deadly people will kill them as well as their eggs. ey will destroy what they find in the hopes of reducing the population of this snake in the wild. In some areas they are also consumed as a source of food for the poor villagers. Venomous Bite or Danger to Humans Humans have to take a great deal of caution around the Black Mamba. It has very strong venom combined with the instinct to strike numerous times. e highest number of people bit by them are laborers in the sugar cane fields. ey have to do the work by hand and the colors of this snake blend in too well for them to be noticed on most occasions. Anti venom has to be administered quickly to someone who has been bitten by such a snake. e time span is typically no more than 20 minutes. ese workers in the field keep the anti venom on hand to give to someone who may have such an incident during a hard day of work. Even though it is dangerous they have to work in order to care for their families. e Reticulated Python e Reticulated Python is large and very interesting to gaze at. ey don t have any venom and they are very seldom known to bite. However, they will wrap around a person though and suffocate them. is has been reported on many occasions. ere are stories about them all over the place in cultures and books. Many of these stories have been verified as credible. Others though seem to be drawing on those that are original, giving this Python a larger than life complex. Description ey range in size from 10 to 20 feet in length, with the largest one every being 28 ½ feet long. ey are the longest snakes in the world. e size will depend on the habitat where they live and the type of food sources that they consume. ey can weight up to 180 pounds but most of them are much smaller than that. ey have a very complex color pattern that allows them to fit into their surroundings virtually undetected. e colors include olive green, black, white, and gold. ere is a geometric design on it that includes diamond shapes. Distribution Southeast Asia is home to the Reticulated Python. ey have been populated on many islands due to the vast distance where they will swim. ey live in the rainforests and woodlands. ey tend to stay close to the forest locations where they can find water such as streams and lakes. ey have been kept as pets in many places around the world. As a result they are widely distributed. ey o en escape or they are released by owners who can no longer care for them properly. Behavior e Reticulated Python is an excellent swimmer and they o en go far out from the shore. ey are slow moving but very meticulous so they can cover large areas in a given day. ey are mainly active at night time. ey are very aggressive creatures and will instinctively coil up when they feel that they are in danger. Due to the heavy size they are mainly found living on the ground. However, they will sometimes go into the trees. ey are also well known for hanging around the bodies of water. ey find it to be a prime hunting location as many living things will go to the body of water to be able to drink. Diet /Feeding e diet of the Reticulated Python is quiet diverse. ey consume rodents, primates, and more. ey can consume living things that weigh as much as they do or more. ey wait and ambush their prey and then they wrap around it to cut off the airways. It can take a very long time for them to digest a meal so they usually only eat every few weeks. ey have been known to consume domestic animals too. is includes cats, dogs, and sheep. As a result this has created lots of tension between them and the villagers. ey have recently started to consume farm pigs as well that are being raised for food. Reproduction ey can lay as many as 80 eggs at one time. ey females will leave those eggs as soon as you puts them in place. She will try to find a warm place for them to be well incubated. About 90 days later the babies will emerge about 2 feet long. ey have to care for themselves immediately. Venomous Bite /Danger to Humans While humans don t have to worry about venom or being bitten, they do have to be careful about being crushed by the Reticulated Python.
4 DON'T HATE ON SNAKES, APPRECIATE!!! Even people who have kept them as pets have ended up being grabbed by them. ey have tons of strength so even a strong adult man will have a very difficult time getting out on his own. ey are linked to many deaths both in the wild and in captivity. ey have been known to consume people and that is very rare for snakes.
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DON'T HATE ON SNAKES, APPRECIATE!!! 11 Snake Facts! Snakes are carnivores (meat eaters). Snakes don t have eyelids. Snakes can t bite food so have to swallow it whole. Snakes have flexible jaws which allow them to eat prey bigger than their head! Snakes are found on every continent of the world except Antarctica. Snakes have internal ears but not external ones. Snakes used in snake charming performances respond to movement, not sound. ere are around 3000 different species of snake. Snakes have a unique anatomy which allows them to swallow and digest large prey. Snakes are covered in scales. Snakeskin is smooth and dry. Snakes shed their skin a number of times a year in a process that usually lasts a few days. Some species of snake, such as cobras and black mambas, use venom to hunt and kill their prey. Read more venomous snake facts. Snakes smell with their tongue. Pythons kill their prey by tightly wrapping around it and suffocating it in a process called constriction. Some sea snakes can breathe partially through their skin, allowing for longer dives underwater. Anacondas are large, nonvenomous snakes found in South America that can reach over 5 m (16 ) in length. Python reticulates can grow over 8.7 m (28 ) in length and are considered the longest snakes in the world.
12 DON'T HATE ON SNAKES, APPRECIATE!!!