Niyati Parab

Do you know there are 3,900 species of snakes across 52 genera in the animal kingdom?

All these species are classified into more than 20 recognized families of snakes. Snakes are found on all continents in the world except for Antarctica and a few countries like Iceland, Greenland, and Ireland.

Snakes belong to the class Reptilia and the suborder Serpentes in the animal kingdom. These carnivorous creatures have a long elongated body that is covered with scales.

Snakes do not have any limbs, and scales on their body help them slither around. The length of snakes varies across species, from the tiny Barbados thread snake which measures around 4.1 in (10.4 cm) to the mighty python, which can be as long as 22.8 ft (6.95 m).

Contrary to popular belief, a majority of snakes are non-venomous. Only about 375 of the 3,900 species of snakes are venomous.

Venomous snakes use the venom, not as a means of self-defense but to subdue and hunt their prey. The most poisonous snake in the world is the inland taipan.

Diets of these reptiles vary as per the species; some feed on insects and small animals like rats, frogs, and birds, while the giant variety of snakes can consume big animals like pigs and deer. Non-venomous snakes feed on their prey by swallowing them alive, or they subdue them by constriction.

Some species of snakes prey on other snakes also. Snakes like pythons and anacondas can live without consuming food for almost a year.

Most snakes are nocturnal, with some exceptions that are diurnal. They use their tongue to make sense of the world around them. Snakes are ectothermic, which means they are cold-blooded animals.

They use external sources to regulate their body heat and temperature. They are known to shed their skin at regular intervals. This varies with the species, but typically it is about three to six times a year.

In this article, we will learn more about how eggs of various types of snakes look. Knowing how to identify snake eggs has its benefits.

If you are a snake enthusiast and are interested in learning more about snakes, knowing how to identify snake eggs will increase your knowledge. If your home is in an area where snakes are common, identifying snake eggs is vital for your safety.

To explore more information on snakes, check out our articles on when do snakes hibernate and how do snakes move.