Gourt > Recreation > Pets > Reptiles and Amphibians > Snakes (25)
Snakes (from Old English snaca, and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European base snag- or sneg-, "to crawl"), also known as ophidians, are cold blooded legless reptiles closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. There are also several species of legless lizard which superficially resemble snakes, but are not otherwise related to them. A love of snakes is called ophiophilia, a fear of snakes is called ophidiophobia. A specialist in snakes is an ophiologist.
An old synonym for snake is serpent (which comes from Old French, and ultimately from *serp-, "to creep"); in modern usage this usually refers to a mythic or symbolic snake, and information about such creatures will be found under serpent (symbolism). This article deals with the biology of snakes.
Evolution
The phylogeny of snakes is poorly known due to the fact that snake skeletons are typically small and fragile, making fossilization unlikely. It has however been generally agreed, on the basis of morphology, that snakes descended from lizard-like ancestors. Recent research based on genetics and biochemistry confirms this; snakes form a venom clade with several extant lizard families.
Recent fossil evidence suggests that snakes directly evolved from burrowing lizards, either varanids or some other group. An early fossil snake, Najash rionegrina, was a two-legged burrowing animal with a sacrum, fully terrestrial. One extant analog of these putative ancestors is the earless monitor Lanthanotus of Borneo, although it also is semi-aquatic. As these ancestors became more subterranean, they lost their limbs and became more streamlined for burrowing. Features such as the transparent, fused eyelids and loss of external ears, according to this hypothesis, evolved to combat subterranean conditions (scratched corneas, dirt in the ears). According to this hypothesis, snakes re-emerged onto the surface of the land much as they are today. Other primitive snakes are known to have possessed hindlimbs but lacked a direct connection of the pelvic bones to the vertebrae, including Haasiophis, Pachyrhachis and Eupodophis) which are slightly older than Najash.
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Snakes :: Pets
Snakes :: Squamata
Snakes, Farts and Writing http://t.co/yQyKxg8B via @small_types
LetKidsCreate (Brooke) Thu, 17 May 2012 10:18:11 -0000
Snakes, Farts and Writing http://t.co/yQyKxg8B via @small_types
His hand in the tight glove snakes in through the hole, finds the.
bacoginedehuz (showes) Thu, 17 May 2012 10:18:00 -0000
His hand in the tight glove snakes in through the hole, finds the.
RT @4_ryan: Absolutely fuming here. Lads are snakes and will remain snakes in my eyes for a long time. Lost respect for alot of lads today.
Shano124 (Augustus Kwembe x) Thu, 17 May 2012 10:17:31 -0000
RT @4_ryan: Absolutely fuming here. Lads are snakes and will remain snakes in my eyes for a long time. Lost respect for alot of lads today.
One of my baby snakes hissed at me, struck at me and bit me. Now I'm scared of him :(
_carlyjackson (Carly Jackson) Thu, 17 May 2012 10:17:30 -0000
One of my baby snakes hissed at me, struck at me and bit me. Now I'm scared of him :(
RT @alleyleighlove: @youloveTSM & @star15love are snakes they just abused my stuffed tedd named peter thet hung him from ceilings and beat him :(
star15love (clarissa gonzalez) Thu, 17 May 2012 10:17:22 -0000
RT @alleyleighlove: @youloveTSM & @star15love are snakes they just abused my stuffed tedd named peter thet hung him from ceilings and beat him :(
@LadyOphelia12 Just so long as you don't get ants - snakes are easier to deal with. ;)
SmutMuppet (Cefyn) Thu, 17 May 2012 10:17:16 -0000
@LadyOphelia12 Just so long as you don't get ants - snakes are easier to deal with. ;)
More - Provides snake safety education to groups of all sizes and ages. They provide birthday party services and venomous snake posters.
Meta Description: [ Call Texas Snakes and More at 713-934-7668 to schedule snake birthday parties, safety meetings, school/scout programs, and more! ]
Are You Ready for a Pet Snake? - Article that deals with snakes habitat, husbandry, general information and how to select a pet snake courtesy of TalktotheVet.com.
Meta Description: [ Snakes Habitat and How to select a snake. One of Talk To The Vet's many free articles. Ask a veterinarian online questions about pet health care. Traditional, Holistic, Alternative, Pet Nutrition ]
Aussie Pythons and Snakes - An on-line herpetological community catering for owners and lovers of Australian snakes. Includes a forum, personal gallery, plus a shop and swap section.
Meta Description: [ Online Herpetological Community ]
Determining Sex - Describes the methods of determining sex by probing or popping a snake. Compares the pros and cons of using each method.
Meta Description: [ Specializing in Angolan Pythons rare ball python mutations ]
John's Snake World - General information about snakes.
PetReptiles.com - An interactive directory of snake species, care guides, discussion forum and members pets.
Meta Description: [ Petreptiles.com - a free information resource for pet owners., ]
Simon's Snake Website - A website dedicated to educating new and beginning snake owners.
Meta Description: [ A website dedicated to educating new and beginning snake owners - we've got a snake quiz, caresheets, general info, links and more ]
Snake Bite First Aid - Lists symptoms, treatments, and means of prevention for venomous snake bites.
Meta Description: [ Overview of snake bites ]
Snake Encounters - Education and entertainment roadshow featuring live snakes from around the world. [Lancaster, TX]
Meta Description: [ Experienced public speaker/humorist bringing over 15 years of experience and a generous measure of humor into the nature education/entertainment arena. With a cast of tame, safe, beautiful snakes that are patient enough for even the most nervous of humans, Daryl and his friends are ALWAYS a hit. ]
Snakes Alive! - Information, photos and advice on snakes, plus contact details for arranging visits to schools and youth groups with the snakes (UK).
Meta Description: [ Information on Boas and Pythons, natural history of snakes, photos, snake world records, and advice on the different species available to keep as pets.
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Snakes List - A mailing list for discussion related to keeping snakes in captivity
Meta Description: [ Free, easy email groups ]
Snaketamers/Maggie's Page - Dedicated to teaching humans about reptiles. Caresheets, and an adoption board.
SuperSnakes - Free snake keeping information and the world's one and only Genetics Wizard!
Meta Description: [ Rare Ball Pythons for investment and breeding, excellent customer support, and the only Genetics Wizard anywhere! ]
Terry's Snake Site - Collection of photographs of a variety of snakes.
Meta Description: [ Snake Pictures ]
The Boa Kingdom - Photos and care sheets for amazon tree boas, emerald tree boas, tree boa forum, rainbow boas, savu pythons, mandarin rat snakes, Ridleyi's cave dwelling ratsnakes, albino Florida pinesnakes, beauty snakes, royal diadems, cornsnakes, grey banded kingsnakes, and a variety of other pages pertaining to snakekeeping topics.
Meta Description: [ the boa kingdom, boakingdom.com, amazon tree boas, emerald tree boas, tree boa forum,
mandarin ratsnakes, corn snakes, snake photos, snake photography, and a variety of other pages pertaining
to snakekeeping topics ]
The Unofficial Snake Page - Dedicated to one of the most intruiging animals - snakes.
Zack's Snake Page - Pet snake information and pictures.
Meta Description: [ This is a page about all of my snakes. I have 7 of them now, but hope to get more as i get older. I have 4 Corns, 2 Brazilian Rainbow Boas, and 1 Texas rat. ]
