Snakes

Definition of Snakes as it relates to Animals, Pet Trade Animals, Reptiles

Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and inhabit a wide range of environments, from forests and grasslands to deserts and mountains. Snakes play an important role in controlling pest populations by preying on rodents, insects, and other small animals. Some species are kept as pets, while others are used in the pet trade illegally. They vary greatly in size, with some species measuring just a few inches long and others reaching over 30 feet in length. Snakes are able to navigate their environment using their sense of smell, which is heightened by the presence of a forked tongue that they use to taste the air. They are also able to detect vibrations in the ground, which helps them locate prey and avoid predators. Some species of snakes are venomous, using their fangs to inject venom into their prey. Other species are constrictors, killing their prey by wrapping their bodies around it and squeezing until it suffocates.

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