The word “snake” undoubtedly provokes a different reaction among people: someone is simply afraid of them, someone comes to mind a snake-tempter, and someone is ready to have a snake like a pet, showing off to friends. What kind of animals are these? These long legless predatory creatures live around the world, in equatorial forests, deserts, mountains. Snakes come in different colors and sizes, from several meters to several centimeters. There are individuals who are completely harmless, but there are those who are mortally dangerous, and it is better not to encounter them in the wild or at home. In this article we will introduce you to beautiful snakes, their features, characteristics, habitat, appearance and distinctive properties.
The appearance of a royal snake
The royal snake (Lampropeltis) belongs to the family of non-toxic and the family is already distinctive. About 14 species of these individuals are counted, which mainly live in North and Central America and Mexico. Another name, “Shinning Shield,” was given due to the presence of specific dorsal scales. "Why did you call her royal?" - you ask. She was nicknamed due to the fact that in the wild she eats other types of snakes, including poisonous ones. This feature is due to the fact that the royal snake confronts the poison of relatives.
To date, only seven subspecies that belong to the royal family have been well studied. They all differ not only in color and color, but also in size. The length of the body can vary from 0.8 m to 1.5-2 m. As a rule, the scales of this genus are smooth, painted in bright and contrasting colors, and the main pattern is presented in the form of numerous multi-colored rings. Most often, combinations of red, black and white colors come across.
Existence in the wild
Ordinary beautiful snakes live in the desert regions of North America. Often they can be met in Arizona, Nevada. Reptiles lead terrestrial life, poorly tolerate heat. Therefore, when arid and sultry weather sets in, they hunt exclusively at night.
Varieties
Below, we present to you the top of the most common types of royal snakes, which belong to the family of non-toxic:
- Mountain snake 1.5 meters long. It has a triangular, black, steel or gray head and a strong, massive body. His picture is presented in a combination of gray and orange.
- A beautiful snake 2 meters long, has a slightly elongated, laterally compressed head and a slender, strong body. Its color is gray or brown with quadrangular spots of red or black and white.
- Arizona - in length reaches up to one meter. It has a short, rounded black head and a thin slender body, with a three-color pattern in the form of red, black, yellow and white stripes.
I would like to add that the following species have also been scrupulously studied: ordinary, Sinaloy, California and striated snake.
List of the most interesting snakes on earth
- Honduran dairy has a black and bright red color.
- A beautiful white snake lives in Texas and is not poisonous; its bite is not more dangerous than a bite of a simple bee.
- Indo-Eastern rat - according to unofficial data, the longest in America, individuals were more than 9.2 feet in length. The difference from other snakes is that it has its own shiny black color. There are even brilliant blue in color.
- The emerald tree boa is the brightest and most unforgettable snake on the entire planet. It lives in South America and the Amazon.
- The Iridescent Shieldtail is the rarest and most beautiful snake in the world. For all the time it was discovered in nature, only three specimens were caught. There is practically no information about how it behaves in the wild. But what we know for sure, this snake is unusually beautiful and rare.
- Brazilian rainbow python - it was so named because of its bright, juicy and rainbow colors. The main coloring of the snake in brown and orange tones. Lives in America and throughout the Amazon. A medium-sized snake, in comparison with others, prefers moist terrain and a river. Lives about twenty years.
- Eastern Aspid is the most beautiful snake, but at the same time the most poisonous, like all coral snakes. It bites extremely rarely, no more than 20 bites per year, but they are almost deadly, there is no antidote. If for several minutes the bitten person is not taken to the hospital, then it is already impossible for him to help.
- Green python is an incredibly beautiful animal. Lives in New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia. This species is threatened with extinction due to deforestation in its habitats. This snake is the most beautiful on our list.
Grape snake
The grape-headed kite snake (Oxybelis fulgidus) represents the arboreal species of the Colubrid family. Lives in the rainforests of Central and North America. The reptile has a thin graceful body, about 2 cm thick and 2 meters long. The tail is oblong and thin, the head is pointed in shape, the mouth is large and stretches almost across the entire head. The tongue is green and moves up and down. The grape snake is unpretentious and quite peaceful, so they like to keep it at home. The bite is toxic, but not fatal, if measures are taken in time, but, despite this, it is very painful. It can immobilize a person’s finger for several months. She eats, as a rule, with mice. But it is important to remember that if you decide to get such a snake in the house, make sure that the mice are not large, otherwise the snake will not even eat them.
White Snake
White rat snake, or Texas snake (Elaphe obsolete Lindheimeri). This is one of the rarest species of snakes with white skin and blue large eyes. It reaches 1.8 meters in length. This species lives in America and in the southern part of Canada. Sometimes you can meet near the cities. The rat snake feeds on rodents, birds, and frogs. The snakes are not poisonous snakes, but still very aggressive, especially during molting. Aggression is shown at the moment when they feel the danger and driven into a corner. These individuals live on average 17 years.
Interesting Facts
- Three times less poisonous snakes on the planet than non-poisonous ones.
- Individuals use their poison no longer for defense, but for hunting.
- All reptiles throughout their life periodically molt.
- The largest living snake is the anaconda, which reaches a length of five to seven meters and weighs more than a hundred kilograms.