Snakes are limbless reptiles known for their long, scaly bodies, and ability to swallow prey way larger than their heads due to their flexible skull. As snakes grow, they shed their entire outer layer of skin in a process called ecdysis. Did you know that snakes can smell with their tongues? A snake’s forked tongue picks up chemical cues from the air, which then are interpreted by specialized receptors in the mouth, helping them “smell” their surroundings. Snakes don’t have eyelids–instead, they have transparent scales over their eyes, which protects them. Another interesting thing about snakes is that they can primarily “hear” by sensing vibrations through their jawbones and the ground.

Non-venomous snakes are snakes that do not have venom and are generally harmless to humans, though they can still bite or squeeze their prey. While most non-venomous snakes are harmless, it’s better to avoid holding any snake, because they can still bite and can cause injuries. Many non-venomous snakes are kept as pets, but owning a pet snake requires a commitment to proper enclosure, diet, and care for their long lifespan.

Examples of non-venomous snakes:

• Garter Snake
• Rat Snake
• Corn Snake
• Watersnake
• Python
• Rough Green Snake
• Milk Snake

Venomous snakes produce modified saliva (venom) in specialized glands and inject it into their prey or attackers using fangs. Only about 600 of the roughly 3,900 snake species are venomous, but these are responsible for between 81,000 and 138,000 human deaths each year.

Examples of venomous snakes:

• Inland Taipan
• King Cobra
• Vipers
• Taipan
• Mambas
• Garter Snake
• Boomslang
• Eastern Brown Snake
• Copperheads
• Saw-Scaled Vipers