The 2,700 species of snakes fall into four superfamilies. Wildscreen s arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the world s biggest encyclopaedia of life on earth. A catalogue of living and extinct species the first catalogue of its sortcovers all dwelling and fossil snakes described between 1758 and 2012, comprising three,509 dwelling and 274 extinct species allotted to 539 dwelling and 112 extinct genera. Boidae boas, anacondas, and pythons, elapidae cobras, coral snakes, mambas, and kraits, colubridae king snakes, water snakes, garter snakes, black snakes, and adders, to name only a few and viperidae true vipers and pit vipers. Mythologically, the snake is said to be one of the first reptiles on planet earth. To meet this demand a captive breeding industry has developed. The varieties of snakes that most often cause serious snakebites depend on the region of the world.
There are more than 3,000 species of snakes on the planet and theyre found everywhere except in antarctica, iceland, ireland, greenland, and new zealand. Here in australia we have over 110 different species of land snakes including 22. It is a biological product that typically consists of venom neutralizing antibodies derived from a host animal, such as a horse or sheep. A lifesize guide to six hundred species from around the world, by mark oshea. They include anacondas, pythons and boa constrictors, which are all nonvenomous constrictors. The longest venomous snake in the world is the king cobra. Snakebite statistics most snakebites are by nonvenomous species. The red spotted pit viper is a venomous snake found primarily in asia. The evolution of mystery in nature is a better choice for those looking for more indepth info.
There are no universal distinguishing features that separate venomous from nonvenomous snakes. There are various kinds of snakes in the world, some venomous and some nonvenomous. Cottonmouths are frequently found in or around water. Southern snakes also include various species of invasive pythons and boas. The book deals with 52 species of snakes from the region. This is a detailed atlas to the snakes of the world. Although snakes are common in warm, tropical areas, they have an extremely large global distribution. Subfamilycolubrinae wide range of non venomous and mildly venomous snakes 68 archelaphe bella stanley, 1917 bellas trinket snake, bellas ratsnake 69 argyrogena fasciolata shaw, 1802 banded racer 70 argyrogena vittacaudata blyth, 1854 taxonomic confirmation required darjeeling racer 71 boiga andamanensis wall, 1909a andaman cat snake. Snakes of the world pdf download full pdf read book page. A lifesize guide to six hundred species from around the world find, read and cite all the research you need on. Jan 28, 2017 also must watch 1top 10 best motivational speakers in india indian motivational speakers list s.
Dont sleep on the ground near woodpiles, cave entrances, or swampy areas. Snakes are misunderstood animals that serve as an important component of many types of ecosystems. Classification and distribution of venomous snakes in the world. Snake, any of more than 3400 species of reptiles distinguished by their limbless. Snakes are misunderstood and often maligned, primarily out of ignorance about their true nature and position in the natural world. Most poisonous, deadliest or most dangerous snakes in the. But snakes can also have an unusual grace and exotic allure. The following is a list of some of the major genera and species of snake, organized alphabetically by family. There are more than 3,000 species of snakes in the world and there is at least one type of snake on every continent except antarctica. In the australasian region, papua new guinea has one of the highest localized snake bite rates in the world up to 526562 per 100,000 per year, and snake bite is an everpresent risk to many of. There are about 3000 snake species in the world, and about 375 of these are venomous. The introduction contains sections on snake anatomy, venomous snake diversity and. When discussing lists of the worlds deadliest snakes, most people use just one criterion and do not to take into account other significant factors.
Elapidae elapids the elapidae family comprises the most venomous species of snakes in the world. Most snakes are referred to as clinically nonvenomous snakes, some of the larger types have bites that can still be devastating. Snakes are classified as reptiles along with crocodiles, lizards and turtles. However, if vigorous antivenum therapy is provided to the victim immediately, their life can easily be saved.
Jul 28, 2019 snake venom is the poisonous, typically yellow fluid stored in the modified salivary glands of venomous snakes. Aside from the treatment of nearly 1500 snakes, it also provides a detailed introductory section covering all aspects of snake husbandry, from housing and feeding to breeding and diseases. All snakes are predators, but venomous snakes that is, biting snakes that use their fangs to inject toxins into their victims have given an inaccurate reputation to the entire group, as most people cannot tell the. All snakes in this family have fixed, hollow fangs. Snakes have played a major role in mythology, the mythological name for a snake is serpent. This member of the leptotyphlopidae family is found on the caribbean island of barbados. To get an understanding of these marvelous animals its of your interest to get an understanding of the different types of snakes. Most species are nonvenomous, including those most often found in yards or basements. Jan 07, 2019 there are approximately 3,600 known species of snakes in the world. The world s most venomous snake, based on ld 50, is the inland taipan of australia. In india, about 216 species are found and among them, about 52 are poisonous. This is an overview of the snakes that pose a significant health risk to humans, through snakebites or other physical trauma.
They come in many patterns and colors, and their diets and habitats vary. There are 14 species of snakes that call massachusetts home. However, the snake has wrecked havoc on the island of guam, where it is an invasive species. I give you ten of the most amazing and unusual snakes in the world. Dont be careless when moving boats left on shore for several hours. The introduction contains sections on snake anatomy, venomous snake diversity and distribution, snake venoms and their actions, life in the sea, conservation, and venomous lizards.
Western rattlesnake is a sensitive critical species pdf in the willamette. Snakes are found in almost all corners of the world except antarctica. We owe it to ourselves to lomn a little bit more about snakes, our coinhabitants of. Brown tree snakes have destroyed guams native bird population and often cause power outages by. See the fact file for more information on the snakes or alternatively, you can download our 28page snakes worksheet pack. All snakes are predators, but venomous snakes that is, biting snakes that use their fangs to inject toxins into their victims have given an inaccurate reputation to the entire group, as most people cannot tell the dangerous from the harmless. Only a small percentage fewer than 300 species are venomous. Dont gather firewood after dark or without looking carefully. The atlas of snakes of the world hardcover october 1, 1991. Juveniles have a bold crossbanded pattern of brown or orange with a yellow tail. This is a snake that has many people worried because of the way they look and the size of them. There are many deaths that they are help responsible for too.
The largest living snakes in the world, measured either by length or by weight, are various. Here is a short description of all types of snakes. Pdf on jan 1, 2018, mark oshea and others published the book of snakes. The adult snake s skin is dark tan, brown, or nearly black, with vague black or dark brown crossbands. Many people believe snakes are slippery, sneaky creatures that will strike when you least expect them and, well, those folks are right. Here are some of the most beautiful snakes in the world. A complete list of different types of snakes animal sake.
A catalogue of living and extinct species the first catalogue of its kindcovers all living and fossil snakes described between 1758 and 2012, comprising 3,509 living and 274 extinct. Most snakes, all lizards and some turtles prefer to live on land. They bask in the sun to warm and seek shade to cool. The russian rat snake elaphe schrencki, also known as the siberian rat snake, is an officially protected species in russia. Dont disturb snakes, or unnecessarily try to kill them. Venomous snakes found in the united states include rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouthswater moccasins, and coral snakes. The longest venomous snake, with a length up to 18.
These snakes elapids are mostly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Snakes are still admired, loved and feared by humans around the world and there is a good reason as to why. Green anacondas like this one are the biggest snakes in the world by weight. Depending on the species, snakes reproduce by laying eggs or bearing live young. With the help of over 7,000 of the world s best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, arkive. Well arent snakes one of the most beautiful and fascinating animals in the world they are my personal favorite and widely feared among people throughout the world. A lifesize guide to six hundred species from around the world find, read and.
Since snakes arent always the top predator, they can become prey for higher predators. They are coldblooded animals meaning their body temperature can change according to the surroundings. Incorrect snake identification from the observable visual traits is a. Nonvenomous snakes lack specialized teeth, and all snakes have small. There are about 3,000 species of snakes in the world. Reptiles and amphibians, collectively known as herptiles or herps for short, are coldblooded animals unlike the warmblooded mammals and birds. In contrast, pit vipers rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths have fangs that are hollow but can rotate forward to deliver a bite. About 600 species are venomous, and only about 200seven percentare able to kill or significantly wound a human. The russian rat snake inhabits mostly wetlands as well as some rocky hillsides, and feeds primarily on small rodents, birds and eggs. The snakes found in this family are collectively referred to as pythons, though there are many individual species occurring in many parts of the world. There are hundreds of venomous snake species that rely on the venom they produce to debilitate and immobilize their prey. Because scientists sometimes disagree about which animal should be a subspecies, which should be a primary species, and other factors relating to the classification of types of snakes. Sometimes listed as a subfamily of the boa family boidae.
In that role in the web of life, they pass the bounty of their preys population boom up the food chain. This weird snake is found mostly in indonesia, although some. They tend to be more active during the day in spring and. Here is a list of the most dangerous snakes in the world. I just started exploring this gorgeous tomb, but i am sure i will spend many wideeyed hours discovering all the 600 snake species described. Learn more about nonvenomous snakes at reptile gardens. Some snakes are dangerous because of the speed or ferocity of their attacks, others because of how common and widespread they are, and still others because their toxins are so deadly. In the western world, some snakes especially docile species such as the ball python and corn snake are kept as pets. In fact, venomous snakes only make up about 10 percent of snake species worldwide. Hg 64 2012 snakes university of maryland extension. There are no coral snakes, water moccasins cottonmouth or any other types of rattlesnakes in maryland. Banded snakes texas longnose snake rhinocheilus lecontei tessellatus central plains western milk snake lampropeltis triangulum gentilis striped snakes brown snake storeria dekayi texana lined snake tropidoclonion lineatum western ribbon snake thamnophis proximus proximus redsided garter snake thamnophis sirtalis parietalis eastern checkered. Pdf the layout is geographical, grouping venomous snakes together into.
Fortunately, there are only two species of dangerous snakes in our state. Note that the snakes are grouped by name, and in some cases the grouping may have no scientific basis. Nonvenomous snakes have teeth, just like the venomous variety. Most venomous snakes worlds deadliest snake reptile. The layout is geographical, grouping venomous snakes together into chapters based on their distribution. Types of snakes understanding the wide world of snakes.
Quick reference guide to georgias nonvenomous snakes. The only harm non poisonous snakes can cause is frighten ing people who are not familiar with them. Their venom can kill man within ten minutes of the bite. People must learn to identify the dangerous species of snakes in their areas or the areas they plan on visiting. Reptiles are ectothermic, which means they obtain body heat from their surroundings also called coldblooded. When a large prey population attracts and sustains a large snake population, those snakes become plentiful prey for birds like hawks and herons, or mammals like skunks and raccoons. Snakes bred in captivity tend to make better pets and are considered preferable to wild caught specimens.
The northern copperhead is a pit viper related to the rattlesnake and the water moccasin. Lots of pictures but little real information on individual species. It has been reported to be on the islands of antigua and barbuda. The largest living snakes in the world, measured either by length or by weight, are various members of the boidae and pythonidae families. The ball python, a common species found within the pet trade, is also a member of this family. As a result, many top 10 lists tend to be inaccurate or, at the very least, skewed. Regarded as one of the most aggressive species of snakes in the world, they attack the victim with unbelievable speed and ferocity. They can be dangerous to outdoor workers including farmers, foresters, landscapers, groundskeepers, gardeners, painters, roofers, pavers, construction workers, laborers, mechanics, and any other workers who spend time outside. This is a list of extant snakes, given by their common names. Of all the bites by venomous snakes, 2550% do not inject any venom. There are about 375 species of venomous snakes and only a small proportion are harmful to humans. After a few pages of thorough introductory information about snakes, each species is shown on one page, and each is accompanied by a lifesized photo. All snakes have long, scaly bodies with no legs and no ears. The black rat snake, for example, may lay up to 60 eggs, but 20 30 is more typical.
Mizoram rul chanchin is a pictorial guide on the snakes of mizoram state, india. Lets take a look at the different families of snakes and understand a few basic facts about them. There are nearly 3,000 species of snakes distributed nearly worldwide. The barbados threadsnake tetracheilostoma carlae is a species of threadsnake.
The host animal is hyperimmunized to one or more snake venoms, a process which. Reptiles wichita mountains wildlife refuge order chelonia family chelydridae snapping turtles common snapping turtle chelydridae serpentina serpentina family kinosternidae musk and mud turtles yellow mud turtle kinosternon flavescens flavescens family emydidae pond and box turtles ouachita map turtle graptemys pseudogeographica. There are about 3500 species of snakes known among which about 350 species are venomous. Snake antivenom is a medication made up of antibodies used to treat snake bites by venomous snakes. Jun 20, 2014 there are more than 3,000 species of snakes in the world and there is at least one type of snake on every continent except antarctica. Of the 3,500 snake species, there are around 600 venomous snake species in the world. Nov 18, 2017 in this video, we are going to look at 10 most beautiful pretty prettiest gorgeous wonderful looking snakes snake snake species in the world. Snakes have fascinated and frightened humans for thousands of years. Snakes come in many shapes, sizes and colors, and their appearance reflects the environment in which they live. The mating season for most snakes in maryland is april through june.
While the snake has a bad rap as a pest, snakes can often be. Identifying venomous and nonvenomous snakes in texas. Toxicity issues edit venom toxicities are compared by looking at the median lethal dose usually using rodents as test animals and termed the murine ld 50, which is the dose of venom per unit body mass that kills half of the test animals that receive it. Venomous snakes of the world were covered by golay et al. Under the current system of classification, there are approximately 3,400 snake species around the world.