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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