7 fascinating facts about snakes for World Snake Day

Whether you find them fascinating or scary, there's no denying that snakes are some of the most intriguing creatures on our planet. So, let's dive into seven cool and interesting facts about snakes that might make you look at them differently.

🐍 Snakes can be found on every continent except Antarctica  

Snakes have adapted to a wide range of habitats and climates, from tropical rain forests and deserts to grasslands and swamps. The only place you won’t find them is in Antarctica because snakes are cold-blooded and need sunshine to function (don’t we all…). 

🐍 Some snakes can fly… kind of 

Okay, we all know snakes can’t exactly fly but there are certain snakes like, the Paradise Tree Snake, for example, that can glide through the air! Home in Southeast Asia, these snakes can launch themselves from trees, flatten their bodies, and glide distances of up to 100 metres for any express trips that need to make. That’s pretty acrobatic for a snake! 

🐍 Snakes smell with their tongues 

Have you ever wondered why snakes flick their tongues in and out? They’re actually using their tongues to ‘smell’ the environment around them. By collecting scent particles from the ground and air, they transfer them to a special organ in the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson’s organ. This helps them navigate their surroundings and track their next dinner! 

🐍 Almost all snakes are carnivores 

A snake’s diet depends on the species. Some eat warm-blooded prey such as rabbits, birds or rodents, while others turn to insects, amphibians, other reptiles, earth worms, slugs or fish. The egg-eating snake, however, feeds only on eggs.

🐍 Snakes are a form of pest control 

Snakes play a crucial role in keeping ecosystems balanced by controlling pest populations. They feed on rodents, insects, and other small animals that can cause problems for crops and spread disease. So next time you see a snake, remember they're doing their part to keep nature in harmony 

🐍 Not all snakes lay eggs 

While many snakes lay eggs, some give birth to live young. Species like the boa constrictor and many types of vipers are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs hatch inside the mother's body, and she gives birth to live baby snakes. This adaptation helps them thrive in cooler climates where eggs might not survive. 

🐍 There are only three species of snake native to the UK 

Have you ever spotted a snake on a nature walk? Chances are you either saw a grass snake, an adder or a smooth snake. Where you are will affect what species of snake you’re more likely to see. 

Grass snakes and smooth snakes are harmless and normally very timid. They are likely to slither away before you can even spot them. Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake but the chance of being bitten by one is very low and they use their venom to kill their prey.

Worldwide, however, there are more than 3,700 species of snake.

Snakes are truly remarkable and totally worthy of our respect and admiration. Most importantly, let’s remember that snakes belong in the wild and not in living rooms as pets! 

This World Snake Day, let's spread the word about these incredible reptiles and appreciate the vital role they play in our world.  

Why not test your newly acquired snake facts?