In this blog post, we will debate whether snakes are cute, by bringing you 15 spectacular species of snakes that will mesmerize you with their looks and temperament.
Are snakes cute?
Snakes can be cute, especially when they are still young and small. Snakes vary in size, colour and temperament. There is a species for every snake lover out there. There are about 3,000 species of snakes in the world.
Of course, of the more than 600 species of poisonous snakes that we can find on Earth, there are only 200 that can cause real damage to humans, according to the World Health Organization.
It may not surprise you that one of the most common human fears is the healthy fear of snakes. We say “healthy” because there are some species of snakes that are dangerous to humans. Some species can even be ugly to us, while others have beautiful patterns and look cute.
Snake attacks are not common occurrences in most urban areas, but when one of these is classified as a dangerous snake attack, it can cause serious damage. Snakes that attack humans can end up killing someone – although the chances of this happening are small – and while most snakes deal with our rodent problem, it’s best not to go near them if you don’t know about them.
For many, snakes are terrifying regardless of whether they are dangerous or not. Even the smallest snakes can make us run in terror.
Mind you, one thing that can’t be denied: once you get over your initial revulsion, snakes are truly beautiful creatures. Perhaps not in the way that a squirrel or delicate butterfly can evoke, but they have a unique elegance and primitive charm that no other creature can match. In this article, we have gathered some of the most striking, either because of their ferocity or because of the beauty of their colour snakes.
Snakes can be caring
A recent study on snakes put aside their image of being cold-blooded and assured that they are more affectionate creatures than previously believed since they protect their nests and stay with their young for a short period after the hatching of the eggs.
The study of the breeding behaviour of the South African python, published in the London-based Journal of Zoology, is the first report on maternal care of young by an oviparous snake.
Despite everything, there are limits. After the eggs hatch, the females only spend two weeks with their young, which are usually dozens. Also, they do not give them food or instruct them on how to survive in the wild.
However, during this time, the pups are wrapped every night in their mother’s protective embrace, something that Alexander says helps them stay warm, probably increasing their chances of survival.
15 Stunning Snakes
Atheris hispida
From the rainforests of Central Africa, this little viper is highly poisonous. It is characterized by its huge eyes and striking scales that give it an almost feathered appearance (hence one of its common names, “feathered viper”).
Atheris vipers grow up to 75 cm long, and males are longer than females (unusual among snakes). Like all vipers, it has long, retractable fangs on the front of the upper jaw; there is no known antidote for its venom, which causes blood clotting difficulties, pain and swelling, and often death. Fortunately, these snakes generally live far from human settlements and therefore bites are extremely rare.
Gariba Viper
This viper inhabits parts of India and the Middle East, and does not possess the strongest venom among venomous snakes, but is responsible for more human deaths per year than any other snake. The reason? Because it is usually found in populated areas. Its bite is fatal and its discreet colouration helps it go unnoticed.
King Cobra
Its size ranges from 3 to 4 meters and can be found mainly in India and Southeast Asia. King cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) have a distinctive hood that surrounds their heads, which makes them look significantly wider than they are, and also gives them a fearsome appearance.
Their bodies are typically dark olive or brown with black and white cross bands. Its venom consists of neurotoxins that can be fatal to humans. The venom targets the victim’s central nervous system and causes a mortality rate of between 50-60%, making it the deadliest of all cobras.
Boomslang
Also known as the Cape tree snake (Dispholidus typus). Many poisonous members of the Colubridae family, to which boomslang belongs, are harmless to humans due to tiny poisonous glands and inefficient fangs.
However, boomslang is exceptional because it has a very powerful venom, which is delivered through large fangs located at the back of the jaw. These snakes can open their jaws up to 170 ° when biting, allowing them to release more venom that usually kills the victim of internal or even external bleeding.
Desert horned viper
This viper (Cerastes cerastes) comes from North Africa and the Middle East and could be the reason why the devil with horns is often depicted. The horns of the snakes, which are modified scales, are retractable, allowing the snakes to burrow easily. Scientists are unsure of the purpose of supraocular horns, but they could help prevent sand buildup around the eyes.
Common krait
The common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) does not sound or look like a threatening snake until you realize how it attacks. This snake, according to a study published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sri Lanka, is found mainly in South Asia and hunts mainly at night.
Therefore, most of its victims are sleeping when bitten. Unfortunately, if it does bite you, you won’t wake up screaming. You won’t feel anything at all. The bite is so small and painless that you are likely to sleep like a baby. However, the venom of the common krait is quite strong and can lead to respiratory paralysis if left untreated. And without treatment is exactly what can happen if you fall asleep with a sting …
Tiger snake
The tiger snake (Notechis) can be found in southern and eastern Australia. According to the Australian natives, they are silent and surprisingly calm snakes; but they are very poisonous since they are in the fourteenth place in the list of the deadliest snakes on the planet. Their name is since they normally have stripes like those of a tiger. They can reach up to 2.1 meters in length.
Asian Vine Snake
The Asian Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina) has an extraordinary geometric pattern for climbing. This pattern is highlighted when the snake feels threatened and expands its body, revealing the black and white between the green scales.
When relaxed, the snake has what appears to be a very slim body, mostly green, but this is not it’s the only defence. According to the Reptiles Magazine, “When vine snakes sense danger, they will remain immobile, but if there is a breeze, they will sway back and forth with the foliage to increase their camouflage.”
Inland Taipan
The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is popularly known as the “fierce snake,” and its bite can kill a human in less than an hour. It is the most poisonous snake in the world, as its paralyzing venom causes bleeding in blood vessels and muscle tissues. It is native to Australia and despite its lethality, it is quite shy and docile. But are snakes cute? Not his one!
Rattlesnake
Its size varies from 1.2 to 1.8 meters and we can find it in most of North and South America. Its most notable feature is its distinctive rattle at the end of its tail, hence the nickname rattlesnake.
When the rattlesnake (Crotalus) is threatened or just to make it known that we are going to step on it, for example, they shake their tail to create that rattle-like sound. There are 36 known species of rattlesnake and all of them are dangerous. While their bites are rarely fatal due to anti-venom and treatment methods, they do cause serious injury to the area of the bite.
Their venom is hemotoxic, causing the tissue at the sting site to begin to rot due to a process called necrosis. This is the result of the thickening of the blood and lack of adequate oxygenation of the tissue. Severe stings can lead to the need to amputate a limb where the bite occurred.
Blue Rattlesnake
Blue? That’s right, the blue rattlesnake (Trimeresurus insularis) is a poisonous snake found in Indonesia and East Timor. They tend to be relatively small snakes, mainly arboreal, and their bodies are thin. We can find them in green or blue, but also in orange, yellow or red.
Common Death Adder
The common death adder (Acanthophis antarcticus) is a species of viper native to Australia. It is one of the most poisonous land snakes in this country. Unlike other snakes, the viper waits for its prey, often for many days, until it is time to attack. It covers itself with leaves to camouflage itself and quickly bites its prey. Once it is injected into the victim’s body, it waits for the victim to die before eating it.
Barbados thread snake
The Barbados thread snake (Tetracheilostoma carlae) is like living spaghetti. Endemic to the Caribbean island of Barbados, it is the smallest species of snake in the world, only 10 centimetres long and almost as wide as a spaghetti. The snake’s diet consists of termites and ant larvae.
Black mamba
The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is fast, nervous, lethally poisonous and, if threatened, they are aggressive. It lives in various areas of sub-Saharan Africa and is the second-largest venomous snake (between 2 and 3 meters, although there are reports of some black mamba that has reached 4 meters). This restless snake can reach a speed of 16-20 km / h.
Rainbow boa
The most remarkable feature of the rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria) is the iridescent sheen of its scales. It shines on the brown and black patterns and shows the colours of the rainbow when exposed to light. According to the Smithsonian National Zoo, “the iridescent glow imparted by the microscopic ridges on their scales act as prisms to refract rainbow light.“
Found throughout Central and South America, there are nine subspecies of rainbow boa. Considering their unusual beauty, it’s no wonder that these large snakes, which can sometimes reach over 2 meters in length, are popular in the pet trade.
The bottom line
Are snakes cute? I don’t know if you changed your mind after reading about some of the deadliest species on the planet. However, you are not probably not going to bring a poisonous snake into your house.
So if you are thinking about adopting/buying a pet snake, do your research first. Make sure you read everything about their alimentation, habitat, size, reproduction and temperament. We have written several articles on this matter, so make sure you check them out.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Are snakes cute?
Which is the friendliest snake?
One of the friendliest snakes are the ball python and the corn snake. These species are also the most common snake pets for beginners. They are very docile, and a bit shy.
What is the cutest snake?
The cutest snake is considered by many snake lovers to be the Ball Python. However, we can add to the list the corn snakes, the hognose snakes and the carpet pythons.
Are female or male snakes better?
Neither female nor male snakes are better in terms of temperament. There is no real difference, except in between species. However, when buying a snake you should take into consideration that in some species female snakes get bigger and they may need some special care (such as feeding them more often) while carrying eggs.
Can a snake love you?
Snakes do not love you and they do not feel love as you do. Snakes are not capable of human emotions. In time, they can tolerate you and accept you as a non-threatening creature.
Do snakes recognize their owners?
No, snakes cannot recognize their owners. In time, they can get used to you, to your smell, they will tolerate you and accept you as a non-threatening creature. However, snakes are capable of “bonding” with humans. After all, they are wild animals, even if born in captivity. Their instinct is that of a predator.
References
Reptile Gardens – World’s Deadliest Snakes
Travel Earth – Top 10 Most Dangerous Snakes In The World
Britannica.com – 9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
