Snakes since ancient times a reputation for being dangerous, scary, creatures endowed with magical powers.They are credited with the ability to hypnosis was used in rituals, they worshiped and feared.There are among these reptiles simply giants, reaching 14 meters.However, there are kids, which we discuss next.
Snakes: general characteristics
belongs to the class of reptiles, or reptiles.They have features in the structure, which allows them to distinguish from the rest of the representatives of the taxon.
- bodies deprived of their age, so look very closely and unblinking.It is for this biological features snakes and attributed the ability to hypnosis.
- completely devoid of limbs.The body is elongated, narrow.Some species are preserved vestiges of the former hindquarters.
- absence of external ear.Snakes are very hard of hearing - only very loud sounds, it is better if they are accompanied by vibrations and hot air.But they have excellent thermoreceptors located on the tongue, as well as guided with the help of the olfactory bulbs Jacobson.Therefore, even in total darkness, they went out and brought unmistakably his victim.
also an interesting feature in the structure of these creatures is that their internal organs have an elongated shape, and greatly reducing the lungs.The bladder as part of the excretory system is not available.The skeleton presented skull and spine, which has trunk and tail Department.In some species, there are over 430 in the structure of the vertebrae!
ribs are lying freely in the body cavity structures not connected sternum.So if swallowed production can be moved apart and provide a place to stretch.Jaws also connected extensible ligaments to facilitate the absorption of food.
known that there are three categories of snakes on the way of feeding:
- predators non-toxic;
- insectivores;
- poisonous snakes.
There are the smallest snakes, there are giants.Among the representatives there as poisonous and safe species.
smallest venomous snakes
That snake of small size and apparently seems quite harmless, still about what does not speak.There are some species that are at modest settings are terrible killers.Poison them fatal, not only for animals but also for humans, too.
smallest snake in the world, photos of which can be seen below, are able to absorb production in half of his body, to slay her with toxic products.To poison the kids are:
- dwarf adder;
- adder;
- sand EFA.
Consider how the smallest among poisonous snakes live, and what are.
dwarf adder
representative of the narrow coast of Namibia in Africa.This little snake got its name for the modest size, because the length of its body does not exceed 30 cm (usually 20-25).Outwardly slightly different from their relatives that does not have a horny protuberances above the eyes.For this it is called hornless.Despite the small parameters, refers to the poisonous and can kill with one bite is enough big lizard.
However, the poison she had not instantly paralytic action, so the victim dies only after 10-15 minutes after the defeat.Painting dwarf viper may vary change during the life after molting.It happens:
- creamy-gray;
- yellowish-brown;
- reddish-yellow;
- pink;
- light brown.
stretches along the entire back longitudinal pattern in pale black spots.The body thickened.The tail is painted black.The ability to quickly dig in the sand, as if being screwed into it.So she spends most of the time, waiting for prey.Moving side stroke.Eggs do not delay, because it is viviparous.The number of offspring at a time can be up to 10 individuals.
adder
These little snakes are common viper, is a typical view for Eurasia.The area of distribution is very broad, because one individual has to nekolko area in hectares.They have features in the structure and color of the body.So, over the eyes of these snakes are present horny scales, the whole face is also covered by such growths.At the heart pierced nostril passages.
Painting the body can be:
- gray;
- brown;
- brown;
- olive;
- reddish.
This tail is much lighter, it can be yellow or slightly reddish.The ventral part of the light gray or yellow.
these snakes live mainly in thickets, in clearings.Occupy abandoned people wintering.The length of their bodies - no more than 75 cm. In this case, females are larger than males.Lay eggs, which hatch at a time can be up to 12 pups.The venom of the snake species toxic and destroys the blood capillaries.However, they do not attack without cause, they are quite friendly.
kids recently born, feed on insects.Adults feed on rodents and amphibians.In doing so, the Viper also serve as food for many predatory birds and animals.
Sandy EFA
smallest snake and the most dangerous at the same time - a sandy ephah.Representatives of small - only up to 60 cm in length.However, the modest size of the beautiful moving snake of this kind are the strongest killers.They fear more than the spectacle of large snakes.Why is that?
The answer is simple - bite of this deadly specimens.And for a man as well.Even if you can just bring the poison from the body and neutralize it, in most cases, people are crippled.
worst thing is that the area of distribution is very large ephah.It occupies the land of North Africa, Persia, Algeria and adjacent areas of Turkey.Russell is almost as wide as the adder in Eurasia.
The body color varies in its different variants of yellow, brown and cream.Snake is quite beautiful, because her body is decorated with patterns - spots, stripes, geometric patterns.
Another feature - a live birth and number of offspring - up to 16 pieces at a time!This snake can breed even in winter, as does not fall into hibernation.Efa is a very active snake.At the sight of the danger it makes characteristic rustling sounds all the time jumps, twists and a mosque on the site.
nonpoisonous snakes are small
Among the representatives of a more or less friendly, at least not implementing the body of the victim's poison, there is both large and small forms.It is very interesting little snake.Forms of the tiniest of them are the following:
- blindworm or Brahmin slepun;
- eyrenis meek;
- microhylidae Barbados snake.
consider each representative more and find out what is interesting and unusual these creatures.
Brahmin slepun
smallest snake in the world, reaching a length of 12 cm. The body is painted in a dark brown color.Very brilliant, quirky and mobile.Habitats:
- Sri Lanka;
- Madagascar;
- India;
- Southeast Asia.
Another name for these creatures - snakes pot.This is not surprising.After all, they are completely free to adapt to life in the flower pots where lay their eggs.With this settled even wider.They love dark, moist habitats.The tip of the tail of a small thorn.They feed on insects, worms.A man do not attack or bite.
Barbados microhylidae Charles
By law, the smallest snake in the world - Barbados microhylidae Charles, who was discovered by scientists in 2008.His name has received for habitat - Barbados, and also in honor of the wife of the scientist, made a discovery.
hard to call these tiny long-lived (up to 10 cm) creatures.After all, they live only a few months - from spring to fall.At the same time to give birth in the form of eggs.Their way of life and the characteristics of studied is bad enough.
known that uzkorotiki eat termites and larvae, their color is dark brown on top and light brown on the abdomen.They prefer to hide under rocks, in crevices, and other secluded places.
opening of this snake made Blair Hodges.In the study of individual did not attack and did not try to defend himself, so is considered to be quite friendly views.Today the habitat of these creatures is significantly reduced because of deforestation, and human settlement.Therefore, in view of the future may be endangered.
Smirniy eyrenis
representatives snakes - is also a small snake.Photography one of these can be seen below.This gentle eyrenis.His name was for the absolute absence of conflict.People do not attack, does not bite, it is actually still.
Colouring of this snake varies within certain limits:
- gray;
- beige;
- brown.
on the head has a label in the form of light spots.With age, it darkens and merges with the rest of the body.Tail strongly shortened on the background of the trunk.Lives in:
- Iran and Iraq;
- Turkey;
- Azerbaijan;
- Georgia and Armenia;
- the Mediterranean islands.
the winter hibernate.It becomes active only at night, daytime sleeping in the bushes or rocky crevices.It may climb into the mountains to a height of over 1,500 m. Included in the annex to the Red Book of Russia.
eats insects, scorpions.Can eating millipedes and woodlice.Eggs, burying them in the ground.
biological role of snakes in nature
smallest snake, as the largest, are of great importance for nature.For many birds of prey and animals, they are a source of food.Moreover, for a human can be useful not only the individual, but also the fat, eggs, leather.Thus, a person eats certain types of snakes.In addition, these reptiles kill a huge number of insects that are malignant agricultural pests.
also uses one of the snakes to humans - is mining their venom, which is used to create effective drugs for many illnesses - ointments, tinctures, salves and other means.
