Snake hunter. All about snakes

World's smallest snake discovered on the island of Barbados

2008-08-04T04:56:00.001-07:00

Credit: newscientist.com

You wouldn't get many luxury handbags out of Leptotyphlops carlae. Barely the girth of a strand of spaghetti, it is the world's smallest snake.

Blair Hedges, an evolutionary biologist at Pennsylvania State University, discovered L. carlae on the island of Barbados. "I turned a small rock and found it hiding underneath."

Hedges has something of a knack for finding tiny critters. In 2001, he discovered the world's smallest gecko. And in 1993, he was part of the team that stumbled across the world's smallest frog.

Reptile spotter

Hedges spends lots of time looking for unknown species of reptiles on islands, which he says are the ideal places to find very large and very small creatures, because they offer the opportunity for species to evolve into ecological niches.

But he says it is a coincidence that he should have been involved in all three discoveries. "I have no expectation of ever finding another 'smallest' anything," he says.

L. carlae fits on a 25 cent US coin, meaning Sphaerodactylus ariasae, the gecko which fits on a 10 cent coin, still shares the title of the smallest reptile with another gecko of roughly the same size.

The snake belongs to a family of thread snakes which look like earthworms and have lower jaws that operate like rakes to drag ant and termite larvae into their mouths.

Tiny as can be

Hedges reckons his latest discovery could be as small as snakes get. The organs of small reptiles only leave enough room in their body cavities for them to lay single eggs. Any smaller, and the species would be unlikely to survive.

Small though the snake is, it is not the world's smallest vertebrate. That accolade goes to a Sumatran carp discovered in 2006, or arguably to a parasitic angler fish that is even smaller.

Read more: newscientist.com

Anaconda is a biggest snake in the world.

2008-02-03T06:55:00.001-08:00

Member of the boa family, South America’s green anaconda is, pound for pound, the largest snake in the world. Its cousin, the reticulated python, can reach slightly greater lengths, but the enormous girth of the anaconda makes it almost twice as heavy.
Anacondas in the wild spend most of their time hanging out in rivers hunting for their food. They are solitary creatures that are somewhat shy and not many of them are easily seen. They are very well camouflaged in the swamps and bogs in which they thrive. There are some historical reports of early European explorers of the South American jungles seeing giant anacondas up to 100 feet long and some of the native peoples of the South American jungle have reported seeing anacondas up to 50 feet long.
Anacondas live in swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams, mainly in the tropical rain forests of the Amazon and Orinoco basins. They are cumbersome on land, but stealthy and sleek in the water. Their eyes and nasal openings are on top of their heads, allowing them to lay in wait for prey while remaining nearly completely submerged.
Just about every species of snake on earth has teeth, but the anacondas' teeth are not used for chewing. Snakes' teeth are used for holding onto their prey, preventing them from escaping. Some snakes have venom in two specially designed, extra long teeth (called fangs) which they use to kill their prey. Anacondas have teeth, but they are not a venomous snake. They rely on their enormous size and power to subdue their victims. It is possible to be bitten by an anaconda, but the bite itself would not be fatal.

The Most Dangerous Snakes of the World.

2007-01-30T08:51:00.000-08:00

The Eastern brown snake is one of the most toxic snakes in the World, and, at 12 times the toxicity of the Indian cobra , it is the second most toxic land snake in Australia. However, due to the greater range, occurrence in urban areas and aggressive temperament, the eastern brown snake is the most dangerous and clinically important snake in Australia. The venom of the Eastern Brown snake is slow to produce effect, but once symptoms emerge they proceed with terrifying rapidity with death being sudden and unexpected. Part of the problem is that the early signs of the bite pathology closely resemble that of the occurrence of psychological shock and thus may be misdiagnosed.

Rattlesnakes are large, have large venom glands, are relatively common, and are more likely to hold their ground and bite. Rattlesnakes are born with fully functioning fangs capable of injecting venom and can regulate the amount of venom they inject when biting. Generally they deliver a full dose of venom to their prey, but may deliver less venom or none at all when biting defensively. A frightened or injured snake may not exercise such control. Additionally, young snakes may have not yet learned to control the amount of venom they deliver. Some studies contest that young snakes may be capable of injecting less venom, and the high toxicity of their bite comes from a variation in their venom which causes it to have a more potent concentration than in their adult counterparts. Any bite from a rattlesnake should be considered fully venomous and those bitten should seek medical attention immediately.

Pit vipers are named after their specialized thermoreceptors: heat-sensitive organs located on either side of the head that look like small pits. These pits contain membranes sensitive to infrared radiation and allows the snakes to locate their prey based on temperature differences with their environment. To a pit viper, rodents and birds that are only fractionally warmer than the background stand out even in complete darkness.It is reported that a temperature difference of a mere 0.003°C from the background can be detected. Like a primitive pair of eyes, these pits even give them depth perception, allowing them to strike accurately under such conditions. However it is not known whether the snake experiences this sense as a visual image or in some other fashion. Since the crotalines, like most other viperids, are nocturnal ambush predators, this adaptation serves them particularly well. In an example of parallel evolution, only the boids have developed similar heat-sensitive organs.

These pit vipers are normally tree-loving snakes with a few species living on the ground. They basically have the same characteristics of the crotalidae-slender build and very dangerous. Their bites usually are on the upper extremities-head, neck, and shoulders. Their venom is largely hemotoxic.

The fastest land snake in the world is the aggressive black mamba found in the southern part of tropical Africa. You might have heard stories about this snake overtaking people on galloping horses but although these snakes are fast, they aren't that fast. They can reach top speeds of 10-12 mph (16-19 km/hr) in short bursts over level ground. Despite its name, black mambas aren't black. They're gray. The name comes from the color of the inside of its mouth - something it will gladly show you while it threatens you, if provoked. They can grow up to 14 feet (4.3 meters) long, which is another reason why this reptile isn't something to mess with. The snake races along with its head held high and about one-third of its body off the ground. That can be up to four feet (1.2 meters) off the ground - about chin level for some people. The black mamba is the most respected and feared snake in Africa. Without treatment, the death rate from a black mamba bite is almost 100 percent. Although two drops of venom from a black mamba are enough to kill a human (they are one of the most poisonous smakes in the world), mambas don't usually attack humans. They should still be left alone - they are considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world.

The Bushmaster is the largest Pit Viper in the world with a nasty reputation as a "cruel dude". The Bushmaster is a huge, thick-bodied and highly venomous snake with a triangularly shaped head, one of nature's warning signs that a snake is poisonous and potentially deadly. Bushmasters live in remote, heavily forested tropical jungle terrain. Isolated in their jungle environment, envenomation by a Bushmaster is very serious, sometimes fatal and particularly dangerous to humans. It is important to familiarize yourself with wilderness survival before entering Bushmaster territory because often snake bite victims are miles and miles away from any traditional medical help. The Bushmaster is the largest venomous snake in the New World, often reaching lengths in excess of 6 feet with a maximum recorded length reaching an amazing 14 feet! The Bushmaster has a prominent dorsal ridge and an upturned snout with well defined body scales, keeled and extremely rough. Identifying Bushmaster body color hues range from light brown to shades of pale pink with a series of dark brown or black blotches markings running the entire length of the body including the tail.

A small but extremely dangerous viper. It gets the name saw-scaled from rubbing the sides of its body together, producing a rasping sound. This ill-tempered snake will attack any intruder. Its venom is highly hemotoxic and quite potent. Many deaths are attributed to this species.It can be found in a variety of environments. It is common in rural settlements, cultivated fields, arid regions, barns, and rock walls.
Saw-scaled vipers are very aggressive and quick to strike. They produce highly virulent hematoxic venom. In addition, they are often abundant in heavily populated regions, which makes them some of the most dangerous snakes in the world.

That's not a complete list of dangerous snakes. Remember, Asian Cobra and Russell's Viper probably kill most of the people who die of snake bite annually in the world.

Florida’s Venomous Snakes

2006-12-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

Although 45 species of snakes are found in Florida, only the 6 listed here are venomous and a danger to humans—see Checklist of Florida Amphibians and Reptiles. The remaining 39 species (and 41 subspecies) are harmless and should be protected for the beneficial role they play in natural ecosytems, eating insects, rodents, rabbits, and other small prey. If you are interested in all of our snakes, then you should visit Online Guide to the Snakes of Florida.
A word of caution is warranted here. If you find a snake and you do not know whether or not it is venomous, the safest thing to do is leave it alone. Florida snakes are not aggressive and, unless they are cornered, most will flee when humans approach. Occasionally, you might encounter one that is reluctant to leave because it is basking in the sun to get warm. Among snakebite victims, an unacceptably high number are bitten on the hands and arms when they are handling the snake. Do not catch a snake and do not handle one unless you are sure it is not venomous. In addition, for a short time after a snake is killed, its reflexes may continue to work. Those reflexes typically cause the body to writhe slowly for awhile, but they can cause a convulsive contraction and a bite, so you should not handle a freshly killed venomous snake.
The only acceptable treatment for venomous snakebite, involves the use of antivenin. So if you or someone else is bitten by a venomous snake, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital or medical facility. Stay calm, remove any rings that could restrict circulation if tissues swell, keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart, and immediately seek medical attention. Your most important aids in getting to a hospital and treatment may be car keys or a cell phone.
So, the first venomous snake of the Florida is Southern copperhead, also known as Copperhead, Highland Moccasin, Chunkhead.

Average adult size is 22-36 inches (56-91 cm), record is 53 inches (135 cm). A stout-bodied snake with broad, light brown to gray crossbands, alternating with dark brown to reddish-brown crossbands. Constrictions along the backbone give the dark bands an hourglass shape. On the sides of the body the dark bands usually have light centers, and occasionally one dark spot. Southern copperheads sometimes have an overall pinkish tint. The top of head in front of the eyes is covered with large plate-like scales. The pupil is elliptical, a catlike vertical slit. There is a deep facial pit between the nostril and the eye.
In Florida, this snake occurs only in the panhandle, primarily along the Apalachicola River and its tributaries, and then in the western tip of the panhandle. The FLMNH has specimens in its collections from Jackson, Liberty, Gadsden, Calhoun, Gulf, and Escambia counties. The range might extend to other nearby areas, but there are no confirmed Florida records from outside these counties. Outside Florida, the species ranges north to Massachusetts, and west to Texas and southeastern Nebraska.
This beautiful snake is often confused with juvenile cottonmouths. If you found one in Florida outside the Apalachicola River valley or the extreme western end of the panhandle, chances are you have a young Cottonmouth and not a Copperhead. ‘Copperheads’ are often reported from south Florida, and the people who found them become quite belligerent when their mistake is pointed out. The two species are easy to distinguish because the dark bars on juvenile Cottonmouths have numerous dark spots and speckles in them, while the dark bars on the Copperhead have no dark spots or at most only one. Also the eye of the Copperhead is not obscured by the dark facial band typical of the Cottonmouth.
The second venomous snake is Cottonmouth, also known as Florida Cottonmouth, Cottonmouth Moccasin, Water Moccasin, Moccasin.

Average adult size is 20-48 inches (51-121 cm), record is 74.5 inches (189 cm). A dark-colored, heavy-bodied snake. Juveniles are brightly colored with reddish-brown crossbands on a brown groundcolor. The dark crossbands contain many dark spots and speckles. The pattern darkens with age so adults retain only a hint of the former banding or are a uniform black. The eye is camouflaged by a broad, dark, facial stripe. The head is thick and distinctly broader than the neck, and when viewed from above, the eyes cannot be seen. The top of head in front of the eyes is covered with large plate-like scales. The pupil is vertical (catlike). There is a deep facial pit between the nostril and the eye.
Cottonmouths can be found along streams, springs, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, sloughs, reservoirs, retention pools, canals, and roadside ditches. It occasionally wanders far from water, and has been found in bushes and trees.
Though the Cottonmouth occurs throughout the state, it is not as abundant as the many species of harmless watersnakes that occur in much the same habitat. Many Florida residents do not even realize that watersnakes exist. As a consequence, every large dark-colored snake found near water is counted, and usually killed, as a ‘Cottonmouth.’ Cottonmouths can easily be distinguished from watersnakes. If the head is viewed from above, the eyes of Cottonmouths cannot be seen while the eyes of watersnakes are visible; Cottonmouths have elliptical pupils and watersnakes have round pupils; Cottonmouths have a facial pit between the nostril and the eye, and watersnakes have none.
Some people believe Cottonmouths lie in wait on tree limbs overhanging water so they can drop into boats. These are usually cases of mistaken identity. The harmless brown watersnake often basks on tree limbs over the water, and when frightened by a rapidly approaching boat, they will escape by throwing themselves off the limb and into the water. Occasionally their flight comes too late and they fall into the boat. Cottonmouths feed on fish, frogs, mice, rats, and other small mammals.
When threatened, the Cottonmouth may respond by coiling its body and opening its mouth as though ready to bite. The exposed white interior of the mouth is what gave rise to the common name, ‘Cottonmouth.’ If not hard pressed, the Cottonmouth usually will retreat. This open mouth threat display has led to the widespread belief that Cottonmouths are aggressive snakes. In fact, they are one of the more sedate, even placid, venomous snakes.
Cottonmouth bites can be quite dangerous. The victim should seek immediate medical care from a physician or hospital experienced in treating snakebite.
The third venomous snake is Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, also known as Diamondback, Rattlesnake, Rattler.

Average adult size is 36-72 inches (91-183 cm), record is 96 inches (244 cm). A large, heavy-bodied snake with a row of large dark diamonds with brown centers and cream borders down its back. The ground color of the body is brownish. The tail ends in a rattle. The tail is usually a different shade, brownish or gray, and toward the end of the tail the diamonds fade out or break into bands. The large and thick head has a light bordered dark stripe running diagonally through the eye and there are vertical light stripes on the snout. The pupil is vertical (catlike) and there is a deep facial pit between the nostril and the eye.
Diamondbacks are found throughout the state of Florida, including several offshore islands and keys, and north along the coastal plain to southeastern North Carolina and west to southern Mississippi and eastern Louisiana.
Diamondbacks are often found in pine flatwoods, longleaf pine and turkey oak, and sand pine scrub areas. These habitats contain palmetto thickets and gopher tortoise burrows in which the Diamondback may seek refuge. Humans have invaded many of Florida’s pine flatwoods and scrub areas which now contain farms, homes and shopping plazas. As a result, the displaced Diamondbacks may be turn up in backyards, golf courses, and even parking lots.
This is a large, impressive, and potentially dangerous snake. It can strike up to 2/3 its body length; a 6-foot (183 cm) specimen may strike 4 feet (122 cm). These factors, as well as others, make this a snake that should be left alone and not molested.
Some people wrongly believe the Diamondback must rattle before striking. This is not true. It can lie silent and motionless, and then strike without the usual nervous buzz from its rattle. In fact, Diamondbacks that rattle are more apt to be heard, seen and killed, and Diamondbacks that remain silent are more apt to go undiscovered and pass on their genes to the next generation. In this way, we inadvertently are selecting for rattlers that do not rattle.
This snake is extremely beneficial to man because it preys on rats, mice, rabbits, and other warm blooded prey, many of which are considered pests. Nevertheless, the general public in Florida feels so threatened by the Diamondback Rattlesnake that most are killed on sight. This indiscriminate killing, combined with the widespread loss of rattlesnake habitat to agricultural development and urban sprawl and commercial hunting for rattlesnake skins, has caused a decline in most Diamondback Rattlesnake populations. Though not endangered, the species clearly is in trouble.
The fourth venomous snake of the Florida is Timber Rattlesnake (Canebrake Rattlesnake).

Average adult size is 36-60 inches (76-152 cm), record is 74.5 inches (189 cm). Can be a large, heavy bodied snake. The reddish brown stripe running down the center of the back is disrupted by a series of large, black, chevron-like crossbands on the pinkish gray or tan body. The tail is uniform black. The head is large and sometimes with a dark diagonal line through the eye or just behind the eye. The pupil is vertical (catlike) and there is a facial pit between the nostril and the eye. The tail ends in a rattle.
This snake has a very limited range in our state, found in only 8 or 9 counties in north Florida. It ranges as far south as Alachua and Dixie Counties and as far west as Hamilton and Suwannee Counties. There are verbal reports that this snake occurs in a few northern counties of the panhandle, but there are no verified records.
This snake was once very common and still is in some parts of its range. Throughout the past it, as well as other rattlesnakes, has been persecuted by in rattlesnake roundups, skin shops, and in senseless killings. The rattlesnakes and other snakes, are one of our best allies in the fight to control rodents. They should be respected, not feared.
The fifth venomous snake is Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (Pygmy Rattler, Ground Rattler).

Average adult size is 12-24 inches (30-61 cm), record is 31 inches (79 cm). This is a small snake, but very thick for its size. The top of the triangular shaped head is covered with 9 large scales. The body color is light to dark gray. A longitudinal row of black or charcoal, transverse blotches disrupts a reddish brown stripe running down the middle of the back. Dark spots on the side line up with the blotches. The tail is slender and ends in a miniature rattle (see photo above). The belly is heavily mottled with black and white. The pupil of the eye is vertical (catlike), and there is a deep facial pit between the nostril and the eye.
The Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake is found throughout the state of Florida. The species extends north to eastern North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and southern Missouri.
This snake is common in lowland pine flatwoods, prairies, around lakes and ponds, and along the borders of many freshwater marshes and cypress swamps. Possibly the habitat in which Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes are most frequently encountered, at least in south Florida, is the banks of canals running through marshes and prairies.
This small snake has a reputation for being very aggressive. Its bite, while usually not life threatening, is extremely painful and can result in the loss of a digit. Some cases can be fatal. It feeds primarily on frogs and mice.
Florida’s two hognose snakes occasionally are confused with the Pygmy Rattlesnake. However, it is easy to distinguish between the harmless hognose snakes and the Pygmy Rattlesnake. The harmless hognose snakes defend themselves against potential predators by spreading (flattening) their heads and necks. If this does not scare the threat away, the hognose snakes will turn onto their backs and play dead. The hognose snakes have upturned noses and round pupils, and they also have no facial pits or rattles.
And the last venomous snake is Eastern Coral Snake. It looks quite beautifull:

Average adult size is 20-30 inches (51-76 cm), record is 47.5 inches (121 cm). Body ringed with black, yellow, and red; narrow yellow rings separating the wider red and black rings. The rings continue across the belly of the snake. From tip of snout to just behind the eye the head is black. The tail is black and yellow, without any red rings. The red rings usually contain black flecks or spots. The pupil is round.
The Coral Snake occurs throughout the entire state including the northern keys. The species extends north to southeastern North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and northeastern Mexico.
This snake occupies a variety of habitats, from dry, well-drained flatwoods and scrub areas to low, wet hammocks and the borders of swamps. They are quite secretive and are usually found under debris and in the ground, but occasionally they are found in the open, and have even been seen climbing the trunks of live oaks. Good numbers of them are turned up when pine flatwoods are bulldozed, particularly in south Florida.
Because they also are ringed with red, black, and yellow or white, two harmless snakes in Florida, the Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake, often are confused with the Coral Snake. Both of these mimics (look-a-likes) can be distinguished from the Coral Snake by their red snouts and red on their tails. In addition, the red bands of the Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake never touch the yellow bands (the red and yellow are separated by the black). Also, on both the Coral Snake and the Scarlet Kingsnake the rings go all the way around the body, but not on the Scarlet Snake which has a white belly. Both the Scarlet Kingsnake and the Scarlet Snake are beneficial and should not be harmed.
If you have difficulty separating the harmless mimics from the Coral Snake, the following mnemonic rhymes will identify the Coral Snake for you: "If red touches yellow, it can kill a fellow," and "If its nose is black, it’s bad for jack."
Because the Coral Snake is a relative of the cobras, people believe its bite nearly always is fatal. While its bite is serious and should receive immediate medical attention, statistics suggest that the bite of the Coral Snake is less threatening than the bite of a Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Coral Snakes feed on lizards, other snakes, and frogs.
Stay away from venomous snakes, and your life will not be too short.
Additional information about Florida's Venomous snakes you can find at
Florida Museum of Natural History’s official website.

Some information about cobras.

2006-12-03T14:23:00.000-08:00

Cobras are venomous snakes of family Elapidae, of several genera. (Elapidae also include the taipans, brown snakes, tiger snakes, fierce snakes, coral snakes, mambas, and sea snakes.) Cobras generally inhabit tropical and desert regions of Asia and Africa.

The cobra's most recognizable feature is its hood, a flap of skin and muscle behind the head which it can flare, perhaps for the purpose of making it appear bigger and more threatening to predators. The cobra's predators include the mongoose and some raptors.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest of the venomous land snakes, growing up to 18.5 feet (5.7 meters) in length. Because they are slender, however, these snakes usually do not exceed 20 kg (44 lb). The snake's venom is a powerful neurotoxin known to be frequently fatal to humans.

The mortality rate in untreated King Cobra bites is 75%. Although called a Cobra it does not belong to the same genus (Naja) as "true" cobras. The King Cobra is peculiar in that it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes, which is reflected in its genus name of Ophiophagus (Snake eater). The King Cobra is known to attack larger snakes, including pythons. In spite of the King Cobra's fearsome reputation, it is generally a shy and reclusive animal, avoiding confrontation with people as much as possible. There are many smaller venomous snakes within this species' range that are responsible for a far greater number of fatal snake bites.

The Indian Cobra or Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) is a species of venomous snake native to the Indian subcontinent. Like other cobras, the Indian cobra is famous for its threat display involving raising the front part of its body and spreading its hood. On the rear of this hood are two circular ocelli patterns connected by a curved line, evoking the image of spectacles. An average cobra is about 1 meter in length and rarely as long as 2 meters (6 feet).

The spectacle pattern on the hood is very variable as also the ground colour of the snake Indian cobras are oviparous and lay their eggs between the months of April and July. Females lay from 12 to 30 eggs in a underground nest and the eggs hatch 48 to 69 days later. Newborns cobras measure between 8 and 12 inches (20-30 cm). Newly hatched cobras have fully functional venom glands.