Key Characteristics and Importance of Snakes in Nature
Snakes are the most specialized group of reptiles. Many species of snake are found all over the world. Some of which are poisonous and some are not poisonous. Among poisonous snakes, King Cobra is considered the most poisonous and is very dangerous. If the king cobra bites someone, it becomes difficult to survive. Snakes are found in large numbers in India, China, and Japan. Snakes are worshiped in India. On the contrary, they are considered delicious food in China and Japan.
Boas and python are two snakes that are non-poisonous but they are most powerful and large. Their length is more than about 30 feet. The largest species of these snakes are found in the African jungle. Python snakes can easily eat big calves and deer. After eating their food, they stay in a still position for a few days until that food is properly digested.
Specifications
Snakes are both small and large. Snakes do not have eyelids. Snakes do not bite their food completely. Ears of snakes are not external but internal. The movement of snakes is fast. Some snakes can also fly in the air. Their skin is dry and smooth. There are 3000 species of snakes all over the world. 20% of these species are the most poisonous. Anaconda is a snake found in South America. These snakes are the most toxic. No person can survive their bite.
During the summer, all snakes get out of their burrows because heat is felt on the snake's body. They wander around in search of water. There are many snakes that are worth seeing and these snakes are found in zoos. Some are even domestic. All those who are the most dangerous cannot be domesticated. When a poisonous snake bites a person, the poison starts spreading in the body very fast. In our country, many people die due to snake bites. Most of the snakes are found in the village which gets out of their bills during summertime. Snakes hibernate during winters and hide themselves to be safe from predators. They choose warm places for Hibernation sites so that they don't die because of freezing or lowering in temperature. Many snakes are also associated with water bodies like oceans, rivers, lakes, etc. These snakes survive on tadpoles, small fishes, and frogs.
Snakes do not smell through their nostrils but their tongues. Snakes detect the surrounding environment with their tongues. Another important fact related to snakes is that only 70% of species of snakes lay eggs, the remaining 30% of species produce children.
Reproduction in Snakes
To mate with the female snake, some snakes gather in an area and compete with each other. The snake which proves to be dominant and most powerful mates with the female while the others are not. This process can be very deadly for snakes. This is the reason for the high mortality rate in young aged snakes. After the process of mating, the male snakes leave from there and The female snake, after one to three month, lay eggs in the shell. Their eggs hatch to give the child snakes and grow up to reproduce further.
Some of the Species of Snakes
King Cobra
King Cobra is one of the largest and strongest snakes in the world. The King Cobra is a poisonous snake. They are found in many countries including India. King cobra venom can put anyone to death. The length of a large king cobra is up to 6 meters. The cobra is so poisonous that if an elephant is bitten, it can also be killed. A cobra is a predator that preys on snakes other than animals, whether poisonous or not.
King Cobra, on an average, has a lifespan of 20 years. The king cobra is the only species of snake that makes a nest for its survival and lays eggs in them and protects those eggs themselves. Cobra is a species of snake that is able to stand up to one-third of its total length. It is illegal to kill a king cobra in India as it can lead to a sentence of 6 years. King cobra snakes are able to spit their venom as far as half their length. King cobra snakes can only feel the waves and vibrations that occur on earth, King cobra snakes are unable to feel the sound waves in the air.
They specialize in climbing trees. King Cobra's eyes are so sharp that he can easily see his prey from 91 meters away. The heaviest King Cobra found so far weighing 12.7 kg was kept in New York's Zoological Park. Despite being so poisonous, the mongoose does not affect the bite of King Cobra. This is the reason why the mongoose kills the cobra easily. Once bitten, the king cobra spews so much poison that it can kill about 20 people or a large elephant. If a person bites a king cobra and it is not treated properly, then that person can be killed within 30 minutes.
Krait Snake
It is also called Naja Bungarus. These snakes also eat other snakes. Krait is recognized because of its white, black, and yellow color. This snake is one of the poisonous snakes. These snakes are found in India as well as all over Asia. All these are found mostly in waterlogged areas, gardens, houses, and forests. They are more active at night than day. These snakes lay about 15 to 20 eggs at a time. The length of these snakes is from 6 feet to 8 feet. The poison of Krait is neurotoxic. These snakes are triangle-shaped.
Russell’ Vipers
Russell's Vipers is a dangerous snake of the Vipers species. This snake is responsible for the most deaths due to snakebite in India. Most farmers and laborers fall victim to it while doing the groundwork. These are most poisonous, the snake does not run in fear like other snakes. This snake is so agile that it can bite three to four times in 1 second. Their teeth are the longest among all snakes. It looks neat and thick and looks like a python because of its rounded design on the body. The poison of these crazes is hemotoxic, which does not allow the blood of the victim to freeze. If the blood does not freeze, then the victim dies due to excessive bleeding.
Rattlesnake
This snake received its name from the rattle at the end of its tail. This rattle-like structure makes a rattling noise when it vibrates. The rattlesnake uses the rattle to keep the predators away and is a warning sign. A large number of rattlesnakes are killed by humans for their rattle which is exported to many countries. Their population is also decreased due to the destruction of habitats and increase in camping and hunting. These snakes are highly aggressive and are the cause of most of the snakebite cases in North America. Like other snakes, they do not bite unless they are disturbed, threatened, or provoked. They have 2 organs to sense radiation. These heat-sensing pits help them to detect thermal radiation from a distance. It helps rattlesnakes to catch small animals and hide from predators.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Snakes are very dangerous animals. If the snake bites any person, that person can’t be alive. In India, snakes are worshiped at special events.
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FAQs on Essay on Snake: Facts, Myths, and Symbolism Explained Simply
1. What are the key points to include when writing an essay on snakes?
When writing an essay on snakes, it's effective to structure it with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. You can include the following points:
- Introduction: Start by defining snakes as legless, carnivorous reptiles found worldwide. Mention their diversity in size, colour, and habitat.
- Body Paragraphs: Discuss their unique physical characteristics (scales, forked tongue, flexible jaws), how they move, their diet, and different hunting methods like constriction and envenomation. Also, explain their important role in the ecosystem.
- Conclusion: Conclude by touching upon the symbolism of snakes in various cultures and the importance of their conservation to maintain ecological balance.
2. What are the main physical characteristics of a snake?
Snakes have several distinct physical characteristics that make them unique among reptiles. The most important ones are:
- They have a long, slender body with no legs.
- Their body is covered in scales, which protect them and help in movement.
- They lack eyelids and external ears, relying on ground vibrations and their sense of smell.
- Their jaws are highly flexible, allowing them to swallow prey much larger than their own head.
- They have a forked tongue which they use to collect scent particles from the air to 'smell' their surroundings.
3. How can snakes move so fast without having any legs?
Snakes have developed highly effective ways to move without legs by using their powerful muscles and flexible bodies. The most common method is lateral undulation, where the snake moves in an S-shaped wave, pushing off objects in its path like rocks or plants to propel itself forward. Other types of movement include the accordion-like concertina method for climbing and the looping motion of sidewinding used by desert snakes to move across loose sand.
4. What is the role of snakes in the ecosystem, and what would happen if they disappeared?
Snakes play a crucial role as mid-level predators in many ecosystems. Their primary function is to control the populations of rodents like mice and rats, as well as insects and other small animals. By keeping these populations in check, snakes help prevent the spread of diseases and protect agricultural crops. If snakes were to disappear, we would likely see a dramatic increase in pest populations, leading to significant damage to farms and a higher risk of disease transmission to humans.
5. What do snakes symbolise in different cultures?
The symbolism of snakes varies greatly across different cultures and mythologies. Because they shed their skin, they are often seen as a powerful symbol of rebirth, transformation, and healing. The Rod of Asclepius, a snake-entwined staff, is still a symbol of medicine today. Conversely, in other traditions, snakes can represent danger, evil, or temptation due to their venomous bite. This dual symbolism makes them one of the most complex and fascinating animals in cultural history.
6. How do snakes hunt and eat their prey?
Snakes use two primary methods to hunt their prey. Constrictors, like pythons and boas, wrap their bodies around their prey and squeeze tightly until the animal suffocates. Venomous snakes, like cobras and vipers, inject potent venom through a quick bite, which paralyses or kills the prey. Once the prey is subdued, the snake uses its incredibly flexible jaw to swallow it whole, often consuming animals much wider than itself.
7. What is the main difference between a venomous snake and a poisonous one?
The terms 'venomous' and 'poisonous' are often confused, but they describe two different methods of delivering toxins. The key difference is:
- Venomous creatures, like most snakes, actively inject their toxins into another being through a bite or sting.
- Poisonous creatures are toxic when they are ingested or touched. The toxin is passive and used as a defence mechanism.
Therefore, a snake is correctly described as venomous, not poisonous, because it delivers its toxin through a bite.
8. How do snakes use their forked tongue to smell?
Snakes have a highly developed sense of smell that relies on their forked tongue. When a snake flicks its tongue, it collects tiny scent particles from the air. It then brings its tongue back into its mouth and touches the tips to a special sensory structure on the roof of its mouth called the Jacobson's organ. This organ analyses the scent particles, telling the snake what is nearby—whether it's prey, a predator, or a potential mate.
9. What are some examples of the largest snakes in the world?
The title of 'largest snake' can be measured by weight or length. The Green Anaconda is generally considered the world's heaviest snake, weighing up to 250 kg. The Reticulated Python holds the record for being the world's longest snake, with some individuals growing over 6 metres long. Both are non-venomous constrictors found in tropical regions.
10. Why is it important to protect snakes and not harm them?
It is vital to protect snakes because they are essential for a healthy environment. The vast majority of snake species are harmless to humans and play a critical role in controlling pest populations, such as rodents that can destroy crops and spread disease. Killing snakes disrupts this natural balance and can lead to unintended negative consequences for the ecosystem and for humans. Conserving them means preserving a key part of the food web.
