Characteristics of
Snakes
I know most people don't like snakes, I'm one of them, but I
do think that they are interesting creatures. I'm going to give
you some information in the following paragraphs that hopefully
will teach you new things about snakes and show you that there is
more to snakes than just negative thoughts.
We all know that snakes don't have any limbs, but their body
does feature some advantages. When in trouble, the snake can get
into places other animals can't, such as rock piles. They also
can hide in holes and under things such as wood piles and logs.
Sometimes when snakes are trapped they will hiss and flatten its
head and strike. Some species of snakes will strike without
biting, yet some do bite.
Snakes are coldblooded creatures and their heat source is
external. The snakes temperature will be the same as its
enviroment. They have a very small temperature range. Snakes try
to control their body temperature by being in the warmth of the
sun or under rocks when they are cold. They also try to find
shade or moisture when they are hot.
A snake smells with its tongue. The tongue provides the best
taste and smell. The snake can not make noises from the mouth,
but they can fell pain. They respond to pain by either biting or
trying to get away.
Skin
The snake's skin is scaled but not in the same way as a fish.
The scales on the snake are interconnected by soft folds of skin.
These also make the skin very flexible. The snake sheds its skin
in regular intervals. The snake grows a completely new layer of
skin from underneath its old. After the skin is completely grown,
the old skin will shed.
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