Amazon Rainforest Snakes

The largest tropical rainforest on Earth is the Amazon rainforest. It is also a home for various types of snakes, mainly because of the climate conditions there. To be more precise, the warmth of the rainforest and the water are excellent conditions for snakes and for that reason they are found in a great number in this area. Snakes play a key role in the environment and they are very important for the functioning of the wildlife of the rainforest. It is estimated that 175 species of snakes inhabit the Amazon rainforest.

In the great number of snake species in the Amazon rainforest a large number lives in water, on the ground or in trees. Depending on their preferred location to live their shape is different.

Amazon rainforest snakes are meat eaters. They attack and swallow other animals and the size of the snake dictates the size of the animals they feed on. The larger the snake is the larger the prey is. The rainforest snakes, like the snakes in other parts of the world, attack their prey is many different ways. Some types of snakes squeeze their prey until it dies and then swallow it, other types inject venom in the body of their prey and let it die. Shortly after the snake will find the prey and swallow it

The most popular snakes of the rainforest are anacondas, pythons, boa constrictors. There are even Hollywood movies filmed for them. They are Anaconda and Anaconda 2, Boa, Boa vs Python, Python, and many more.

Unfortunately a great number of snake species of the rainforest are endangered and their number drops rapidly year after year. The reasons are various but it is very important to protect these snakes because they are an important part of the wildlife of the Amazon rainforest.


What do Anacondas eat

Perhaps one of the snakes which still frighten people when they hear the name is the anaconda. Anacondas are also known as the largest snakes in the world. And they belong to the species of Aquatic Boas. They live in the deep forest and swamps. The bad thing is that the number of theses snakes drop rapidly. In the following part of this article we are going to try to answer the question - What do anacondas eat?

What do Anacondas Eat?

These snakes hunt whenever they feel the hunger and any animal that they can catch is on their menu. Depending on the size of the anaconda, the size of their meal varies. Smaller anacondas eat smaller animals like different types of fish and frogs, various rodents, water birds, etc, while adult Anacondas have enough strength to overpower even some animals which you wouldn’t believe can be eaten by anacondas like dogs or jaguars. Now, turtles, bird eggs and other smaller animals don’t seem interesting after these two.

When they catch their prey, they wrap their body around it and practically crush it. They squeeze the prey until it stops breathing. After that anacondas start swallowing the prey slowly from the head.

Thanks to two recent movies (Anaconda and Anaconda II) people are even more terrified by these snakes. However, the truth is that Anacondas will attack people only if they are provoked or in danger. This statement is supported by the fact that there aren’t many attacks by anacondas reported. So, although anacondas have the strength to overpower humans, they are not on their everyday menu.

What do Anacondas eat when captivated?

Well in these situations the one who is responsible for the snake ha to try to imitate the same eating habits Anacondas have when they are free. Anacondas are often given pigs, rabbits, rats to eat since they don’t have to eat very often thanks to their slow metabolism.


Ball Python habitat

We have to admit that the Ball Python is an excellent pet. They are not too big and they are not too demanding and most of all they are not poisonous. The ball Python got its name because it usually curls into a ball when it is disturbed. In the following few paragraphs we are going to learn more about the Ball Python habitat.

Ball Python Habitat

The Ball Python can be found in Africa and North America. They can be seen on trees but also in the grass. They are used to high humidity in their natural habitat. The grasslands are perfect habitats for these types of snakes. They are mostly active at night and they usually spend the day sleeping in their hideouts (in burrows and holes).

Ball Python in Captivity – recreate its habitat
If you decide to take care of this type of python in captivity it is very important to know how to duplicate the conditions he lives in, in its natural habitat. You should keep many things in mind, and first of all it should be the size of the snake. When you choose a terrarium, you should know that it should be long enough for the snake to stretch completely and not touch the edges. After you have decided about the size, remember to place hide boxes. Ball pythons love to have a place to hide. Cover the base of the terrarium with an adequate substrate.
Controlling the heat and humidity is an important part of your efforts to imitate the natural habitat of the ball python.

When it comes to feeding smaller pythons can be fed with mice and as they grow up you can feed them with rats or gerbils. Ball pythons are a bit picky when it comes to feeding and many pet owners complain that they have problems feeding them. But this is not such a big problem since the python should be fed once a week, this also applies to their water balls, disinfect and replace with fresh water every week.


The deadliest Snake in the World

Through the centuries snakes have been making people feel terrified and they still do. A great number of snakes don’t really deserve to be frightened of, but on the other hand there are other types of snakes we should be afraid of because of their poisonous bites which can often be fatal. These snakes are responsible for giving the bad name for the entire species of snakes. In the following lines we are going to read more about the deadliest snake in the world.

There are many factors which we have to take care for, when we want to decide which is the deadliest snake in the world, like: size, venom quantity and toxicity, number of reported attacks with fatal ending, etc. According to different information sources there are three snakes which can take the title – The Deadliest Snake in the World. Let’s see which snakes deserve this title. They are:

- Black Mamba- well known in the world for its aggression and even worse it is the fastest snake in the world too. Trust me, you wouldn’t want a Black Mamba to chase you.

- Australian Brown Snake – largest number of deaths by snake bite in Australia are a result of this snake. It is known for repeated bites and releases a great quantity of venom, and sadly only one bite of this snake can kill a person.

- Saw-Scaled Viper – this is the most poisonous snake in Asia. Like the Australian Brown Snake in Australia the Saw-Scaled Viper is also on the top of deaths caused by snake bite in Asia.

The number of deadly snakes is even bigger but these three truly deserve the title. So keep this in mind when you run into a snake outdoors next time. Move on and don’t disturb them. They generally attack when they are scared or in danger.

Rattlesnake facts and Rattlesnake habitat

Habitat of Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnake’s habitat is mainly in North and South America. They generally live in areas which are 11,000 or 14,000 feet above the sea level. Different conditions make rattlesnakes to adapt to them differently. That is why we can see rattlesnakes in many different areas in forests, mountains, deserts, at sea levels, etc. One thing applies for all species of rattlesnakes, they like places where they can hide and protect them from the sunlight and where they have lots of food. A big problem today is the destruction of their natural habitat. This happens mainly because the land they live in is used for agriculture.
Rattlesnake Facts and Figures
Rattlesnakes are very deadly snakes, and they are to blame for a great number of deaths by a snake bite in the USA. After a brief research about rattlesnakes, we have made a short list of the most interesting facts about them.
• Rattlesnakes are very idle, they spend about 90% of their life in idle state
• Rattlesnakes aren’t laying eggs like other snakes, their eggs are stored inside of them and then they give birth to their baby rattle snakes.
• Rattlesnakes need to hide from hot sun. If they are exposed to very high sun temperature they can die in a very short period of time.
• The best temperature range for rattlesnakes is 25-32 degree Celsius.
• Rattlesnakes are most active during the spring.
• Rattlesnakes hibernate during the cold winter months. They usually hibernate in groups of hundred of rattlesnakes.
• The largest rattlesnake is the Eastern Diamondback (72-96 inches long) and the smallest is the Pygmy rattlesnake (15-25 inches long).
• It is legal to kill and hunt rattlesnakes because they are responsible for a great number of deaths in the USA.


Worlds most venomous snake-most dangerous snake

While we were searching for information about the most venomous snake in the world we have found a really amazing fact. Although every year around 40.000 people are die from a snake bite in the world, this number is extremely low in the country where one of the most venomous snake in the world lives. It is really hard to believe in that, but let’s find out which snake is that.
It is not that easy to decide which snake can have the title – the most venomous snake in the world. There are numerous factors to be considered when making this decision,. But in this case we will have to use the median lethal dose (MLD). Now you may ask what is a MLD or median lethal dose. Well in short terms; it is the dose of venom which is enough to kill 50% of the tested samples. MLD is generally used when tests like this are conducted.

The Most Venomous Snake in the World
The title – the most venomous snake in the world belongs to the Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) also popular as the Small scaled snake, Fierce snake. It is a type of snake that lives in the grasslands of Australia. Its color is brown or olive, and its head has black marks. The MLD (median lethal dose) of the venom of the Inland taipan is 0.025 mg/kg. Maybe these numbers don’t tell you anything, but what do you think when we say that the venom from only one bite of the Inland taipan can kill 100 grown up people. At the same time the Inland taipan is not the most dangerous snake in the world. It is not aggressive and rarely attacks humans and it isn’t responsible for a great number of snakebite deaths unlike the cobra or the Saw scaled viper.

King Cobra habitat

The King cobra (Ophiophagus Hannah) are considered to be the longest venomous snakes in the world. They grow up to 18 feet in length. Their fangs are short and hollow. There is one interesting fact about the feeding habits of king cobras – they also feed with other snakes, smaller pythons and other members of its own species, doesn’t matter whether those snakes are venomous or not. They also feed with bird eggs, smaller mammals, lizards, rodents, etc. Another interesting fact about them is that they are the only type of snakes which build nests for their eggs. Now, let’s read more about their habitat.
Where do King Cobras Live?

King cobras live in Burma, southern China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, South Africa and Thailand. They can be found near water in forests like streams or smaller ponds, tropical mangrove swamps, bamboo stands and tea plantations, for example. King cobras can also be found in the rain forests of the Western Ghats and even the mountains up to 6,500 feet above the sea level. These magnificent snakes can be seen in trees, on the land or in the water. Depending on the region they live in the colour of the king cobra is different. The bad thing is that the number of king cobras decreases every year and the main cause for that are humans which are the greatest threat to the survival of king cobras. Besides humans, the other real predators are mongooses. They do not react to their venom but they will certainly think twice before going after a king cobra.
Luckily, there are enormous efforts to save this endangered species. The most efficient method to save king cobras from extinction is to save their natural habitats. We have to do everything we can to protect these unique and magnificent creatures.


The biggest Snake in the world

Well, when we have to decide about the biggest snake on Earth there is a little problem. Is it the longest snake, the heaviest or thickest or we should find one which is the best in all three categories. After a smaller research we have made a selection of two snakes which fit in our criteria. One of them is the longest, while the other is best in two other categories. Let’s see what we have found.
The thickest, the heaviest and the longest
The Green anaconda (Eunectus Murinus) is the heaviest or the thickest snake in the world. They inhabit the rain forests of the Amazon, in South America. These snakes are true predators and they feed with everything that comes close to them. They prefer to live in swamps and morasses.
The length of Green anacondas is 265 inches and they weight over 240 kg. Because of their weight they have trouble moving on earth and for that reason they spend most of the time in the water. Besides being the heaviest snakes on Earth they are also the thickest. Green anacondas feed on mammals, fish, and other reptiles. They basically eat everything they can defeat. You probably wouldn’t believe this, but it has been recorded that green anacondas can eat crocodiles, deer and in some cases jaguars.
On the other hand, the longest snake on Earth is the Python Reticulatus (Reticulated Python) which lives in the rain forests of Southeastern Asia. They have got their name thanks to the patterns on the body which looks like a net. The average length of this snake is over 330 inches. It is a non venomous snake which kills its prey by wrapping its body around it and choking it to death. They mainly feed on smaller mammals. They live in the swamps, woodlands, grass areas, etc.

How to catch a snake

There are people who see snakes as interesting and amazing creatures and others who are frightened and terrified of them. However, every once in a while there are situations when people have to catch a snake, either to remove it from their yard or for some other reason. However, it is always better to stay away from them if you don’t know what to do. In the next few paragraphs we are going to tell you how you can catch a snake. Remember, you are doing this on your own risk. If you are too afraid to do this, contact a professional service.
If you have a snake stick and a pillowcase everything will be much easier. First look carefully where the snake is. It can be a problem sometimes because they easily blend to the surface. If you don’t see the snake but you are sure it was there, check for possible hiding places – under rocks, logs, or any other dark places. Make sure to use the snake stick and never do this with bare hands. In this way you will protect yourself from being bitten.
Never approach the snake from the front side. Do that from behind and use your snake stick. Press the snake on the neck with the snake stick. In this way you can be sure that the snake won’t turn and bite you. Use your index finger and thumb to catch the snake behind the head. Always make sure you hold it firmly and that the snake can’t turn and bite. Don’t be afraid if the snake manages to wrap around your arm. Place the snake in the pillow case and move it from your yard to a safe place and release it. Don’t kill the snake because they are important part of the nature. Without them our world will be flooded with rodents of all kinds.

What do Snakes eat

The following few paragraphs are going to try to give a more specific answer to the question – what do snakes eat? It one of the questions asked quite often. One of the most general answers is that snakes eat every animal they can defeat or swallow. Well, although it is true it is not quite correct. Another answer we may get to this question actually depends of the type of snakes.

Snakes eat animals which make them predators. And the eating habits of all types of snakes vary drastically. Some of them eat insects, fish, birds, eggs, while there are certain types of snakes which can eat deer, pigs, and even crocodiles. Unbelievable, isn’t it?

Certain types of snakes have specific eating habits. While most of them will eat everything they can kill or swallow, there is one specific type of snake, a crayfish snake, which eats only crayfish or the African egg-eating snakes.

What do snakes eat in captivity?

Of course there is also a difference between the eating habits of snakes kept in captivity and snakes that live in the nature. Of course every snake keeper tries to imitate the natural eating habits of the specific type of snake it keeps, but this is not always achievable. In captivity people are often confused whether to give live or frozen food to their pets. Well, since there were cases where the pets have been injured or even killed by aggressive rodents. So if you are concerned for the safety of your pet it is always advised to feed them with frozen food.

Of course you can purchase vegetarian food for your pet snake if you don’t want to feed them with mice or smaller rats. However, this is completely wrong and against nature and your pet snake won’t enjoy these meals.


Endangered snakes

Endangered snakes are those snakes that are in direct danger of becoming extinct. The rapid development of industry today has a dramatic influence on the existence of some animals, including snakes. For example, just in the USA, around 50% of all the snake species are one the list of endangered species. This is not good at all, mainly because they have a vital importance in the environment. A great number of snakes feed with rats and other rodents and they also control the population of insect population. For example, an adult snake can eat up to 100 rats during the year. They are also a great food for other animals, hawks for example. Wuthout them we would have great problems with rats and mice.
The most endangered snakes
• San Francisco Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) – urbanization and pollution
• The Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) – destruction of habitat
• The Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) - destruction of habitat
• Black-tailed python (Python molurus)- killed for their skin
• The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) – rare, can’t be seen often
• Argentine Boa
• Boa Dumerili – destruction of forests
The main cause of the extinction of these snakes in rapid urbanization, pollution, destruction of forests, illegal collecting, use of pesticides, etc. If we don’t do something to protect these snake species their population will decline continuously. There are lots of things to be done in order to protect their natural habitat and make it secure for them.
There is a great number of organizations which exist with a sole reason to protect endangered species. If you want to help protect these endangered snakes feel free to support these organizations and get involved in their work. Anything you do is a huge step in the protection of these endangered species.


Blue Racer Snake

The Blue Racer Snake (Coluber constrictor foxii) is an endangered species of snake and is quite long snake (1.5m). It has gotten its name because of the grey-blue or green-blue colour with smooth scales. It also has a specific white mark on the chin and throat. The natural habitat of these snakes is the savanna, grasslands, open woodland, and similar. This snake likes spending it’s time on the ground, although it is a great climber and it can be seen in trees when they are in danger. The Blue racer snake is often confused with a rattlesnake because of the sound it makes with its tail when threatened.
The Blue racer snake is very similar to the Black Racer snake and it is not unusual to see these two types of snakes interbreed. As a result the small snakes may look like one of their parents or have the characteristics of both.
We have already mentioned that these snakes are endangered, and this happens mostly because of destruction of their habitat degradation, human threat, and due to vehicles where a great number of snakes lose their lives when trying to cross the roads.
Blue racer feed mainly with rats and mice, smaller birds, lizards, frogs, chipmunks and other smaller snakes. When they are young they also eat insects. Although these snakes have the word constrictor in their name they never constrict their prey. They only hold their prey until they defeat it. In most cases they simply swallow their smaller prey while it is still alive.
Although these snakes look great and the benefits of them are excellent, because of rats and mice in the first place, we certainly won’t want to see them in our house. If that happens always contact your local snake removal company. It is always better to let the pros do the job.