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the Snake

Snakes are closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. All snakes are carnivorous, eating small animals, birds or insects. Snakes do not chew their food. Snakes have very flexible lower jaws, the two halves of which are not rigidly attached, allowing them to open their mouths wide enough to swallow their prey whole, even if it is larger in diameter than the snake itself. Contrary to the popular myth, at no point do they "unhinge" their jaws (disarticulate their mandibular joints). After eating, snakes become torpid while the process of digestion takes place. The skin is covered in scales. Most snakes use specialized belly scales to move, gripping surfaces. Their eyelids are permanently closed but transparent "spectacle" scales. They shed their skin periodically. Although they may be venomous , snakes do not not prey on humans. Most snakes will attack a human being only if startled or injured. Some well known snake species are: American Copperhead, King Cobra, Australian copperheads, Rat Snake, Milk Snake, king snakes

Snake internet resources

Red Milk Snake

Video of a red milk snake in the wild
nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-gui...

Photographs and Pictures of Snakes
A great selection of snake photographs and pictures from Classroom Clipart.
classroomclipart.com/cgi-bin/kids/imageFoli...

Speckled Kingsnake
Video of a speckled kingsnake in the wild.
nature.mdc.mo.gov/file/fg-0124speckledkings...

Rat Snake
Gopher snakes hunt rodents, rabbits, lizards, birds, eggs, and occasionally other snakes, usually locating prey with their sense of smell.
lazoo.org/animals/reptiles/gopher-snake...

Timber Rattlesnake
Information about the breeding,habitat,diet,and description of the timber rattle snake. Includes pictures of the rattlesnake.
umass.edu/nrec/snake_pit/pages/timber.h...

AquaFacts: Green Anaconda
Green anacondas are found throughout tropical South America. They are most commonly seen east of the Andes, mainly through the Amazon and Orinoco river basins
vanaqua.org/education/aquafacts/anacond...

Kingsnakes and Milksnakes Pictures
Pictures of Kingsnakes and Milksnakes.
pitt.edu/~mcs2/herp/Lampropeltis.html

Gray Rat Snake
At this site you will find facts, descriptions, habits, general information and pictures of Grey Rat Snake.
uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/elaobs.htm

Burmese Python
Information, diet,habitat, breeding and a picture of the Burmese python.
anapsid.org/burm.html

Snake Coloring Sheet
Snake Coloring Sheet
cybersleuth-kids.com/coloring/snake_printab...

Eastern Yellowbelly Racer
Video of a yellowbelly racer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruqw4pyMzrc

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Video

nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-gui...

Black Pine Snake
The Black Pine Snake as it is commonly known, is referred to scientifically as Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi. This snake interbreeds with Florida Pine Snake to produce snakes with darker backs and dark gray bellies..
snakeestate.com/pine-snakes/black-pine-...

Diamondback Water Snake
Video of a diamondback water snake in the wild
nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-gui...

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Video
mdc.mo.gov/media/video/eastern-hognosed-sna...

The Reptiles of Australia
Information, pictures and maps about reptiles found in Australia
kingsnake.com/oz/

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