Science knows about three thousand species of snakes. They live in water, forests, savannas, deserts and mountains. How do snakes lay eggs and reproduce? Do they build nests? Let's find out how snakes live in nature.
Snakes
Snakes represent a suborder of the reptile class. Together with crocodiles, turtles, lizards, they are classified as reptiles. In terms of external and internal signs, they are closest to lizards. It is assumed that snakes originated from them approximately 120 million years ago in the Cretaceous period.
Their body is elongated and devoid of paired limbs, covered with scales on the outside. The skeleton consists of a cranium and a spine with ribs. The color of reptiles is the most diverse: bright and dull, with and without a pattern. Within the same species, it varies depending on the sex of the individual and the time of year. Many species are poisonous.
Snakes live on almost all continents of the Earth. They are not found in Antarctica, Ireland, New Zealand and some islands in Oceania. The most pleasant for them are hot tropical regions. They mainly live on the surface of the earth, but some species have mastered the water and underground space.
Imagelife
Absolutely all kinds of snakes are predators. The structure of their ribs and jaws allows them to swallow large prey completely. Some of them are picky and eat only a certain type of organism. Without food, snakes can survive for about two months.
They have a good sense of smell, many species have excellent eyesight, developed thermal and vibration sensitivity, thanks to which they see perfectly day and night, track prey as it moves.
These are the perfect hunters. Quietly and imperceptibly, they disguise themselves, looking out for a potential victim. Then they rush at her with unimaginable speed. Boas first strangle prey, other species begin to eat it alive. Poisonous snakes bite and leave the victim, waiting for the moment when the poison paralyzes it.
What does a snake's nest look like?
Closest to reptiles is the class of birds. Therefore, it is not surprising that both of them reproduce by laying eggs. True, some snakes are viviparous (vipers, boas, etc.). The mating season of reptiles begins immediately after hibernation.
The place for masonry they do not make. A snake's nest is usually an empty tree hollow or an abandoned burrow of other animals. They may also place their eggs under logs, fallen branches, rocks, or bury their eggs in leaves.
Most of them do not protect their offspring in any way. After the snake's nest is built, the female leaves the clutch forever. Some species still show concern. For example, a python wraps a ring around its eggs,guarding them and at the same time warming them with the pulsation of muscles.
Snakes breed several times a season. In especially favorable conditions for them, they breed all year round. The average clutch is ten eggs, but not all young individuals survive to maturity.
King cobra nest
There are not very many snakes that build their own nests. One of them is the Hamadryad, or king cobra. It lives in the tropical regions of Southeast and South Asia, where heavy rainfall occurs. To prevent the nest from being flooded, it is built on a small ledge or hill.
Eggs are laid only a month after mating. One individual at a time produces up to forty eggs. Little cobras are born after a hundred days. At this time, the female is constantly watching them, sometimes the father is also involved in the process.
The snake's nest is more than 1 m in diameter. To build it, the female collects or breaks off branches, rakes the leaves with her tail. The nest has two tiers. At the bottom there is masonry, which is sprinkled with branches and foliage. The female is on top. Periodically, she adds new foliage to maintain the right temperature.
King cobras are the largest of all known venomous snakes. At the time of "hatching" they are extremely dangerous. They hunt for anyone near the nest and may attack without warning.
