World Snake Day 🐍

As World Snake Day is July 16th, in this blog we aim to shed some light on the misinterpreted species. Around 1.4% of UK homes have a pet snake, approximately 700,000 animals. Continue reading this blog to learn some interesting facts about snakes. 

There are over 3,700 snake species 🔢

The first interesting fact is according to the latest count, there are 3,789 snake species worldwide. This number continues to rise as more species are discovered all the time. The most recent was the Phalotris Shawnella. A stunning orange, brown, and red burrowing snake found in Paraguay in May of 2022. 

Click here to see petplace range of reptile supplies: http://feed-and-supplements

Snakes never stop growing 📈

Once they have reached adulthood, their growth rate slows but never stops. It’s their lifespan that cuts their growth. The world’s longest snake, the Reticulated Python, measures up to 30 feet long. It’s cousin, the Green Anaconda, is the world’s heaviest snake weighing up to 500lbs – that’s roughly 35st! 

The smallest snake is 4 inches long and is as thin as spaghetti 🍝

The smallest snake in the world is the Barbados Threadsnake. These burrowing snakes are noodle-thin and shorter than a biro, with the longest adult measuring 10.4cm long and their offspring half their size! They are so tiny that they only produce one egg at a time and feed on larvae and termites. It would be hard to fear these noodle snakes that look like worms, especially when they fit on the surface of a £2 coin!

Snakes are “solar-powered” ☀️

Contrary to the popular label that snakes are “cold-blooded,” their blood isn’t actually cold but derives its warmth from an external source. The term is ectothermic, meaning outside factors like the sun regulate their body temperature.

Their tongues smell 😜👃🏼

Rather than using their nostrils to take in smells, snakes flick out their tongues. They have a unique structure called the Jacobson’s organ on the roof of their mouth, which enables them to pick up scent molecules through their tongues. The split in their tongues furthers this ability, allowing them to use multiple receptors to pick up different amounts of chemical cues.

No Ears 👂

Snakes are built differently, they can’t hear because they don’t have external ears but they have inner ears which are only used for balance. So you can scream all you want and the snake will not flinch, but snakes can sense vibrations using their jaws and as they slither on the ground they use their jaws to navigate or follow their prey.

To read more about snakes click here: http://snakes-1