Snakes are long, legless reptiles that slither, swim and even climb trees. Some are tiny and some are enormous, and most are completely harmless to people. Let's slither into some super snake facts!
🐍 Snake quick facts
- Animal type
- Reptile
- Home
- Every continent except Antarctica
- Food
- Mice, birds, eggs, frogs, fish and insects
- Size
- From about 4 inches (10 cm) to over 20 feet (6 m) long
- Life span
- Often 10 to 30 years, depending on the kind
25 Snake Facts for Kids
- There are more than 3,900 kinds of snakes.
- Snakes live on every continent except Antarctica.
- Snakes are reptiles, which means they are cold-blooded and covered in scales.
- Snakes warm up by lying in the sun and cool down in the shade.
- Snakes don't have eyelids. A clear scale covers and protects each eye.
- Snakes smell with their tongues! They flick them out to collect smells from the air.
- Snakes don't have outside ears, but they can feel vibrations through the ground.
- Snakes shed their whole skin as they grow, often in one long piece.
- Snakes swallow their food whole because they can't chew.
- Stretchy jaws let snakes swallow animals bigger than their heads.
- After a big meal, some snakes don't need to eat again for weeks.
- Most snakes are not venomous, and many are harmless to people.
- Venomous snakes use special teeth called fangs.
- Pythons and boas squeeze their food instead of using venom.
- The reticulated python is the longest snake and can grow over 20 feet (6 m).
- The green anaconda is the heaviest snake in the world.
- The Barbados threadsnake is one of the smallest snakes and is only about 4 inches (10 cm) long.
- Some snakes lay eggs, and others give birth to live babies.
- Baby snakes are called snakelets or hatchlings.
- Rattlesnakes shake the rattle on their tails to warn others to stay away.
- Pit vipers can sense the body heat of animals, even in the dark.
- Some snakes can climb trees, and a few can even glide from branch to branch!
- Sea snakes spend almost their whole lives in the ocean.
- Snakes help farmers by eating mice and rats that damage crops.
- If you see a snake outside, the best thing to do is give it space and let a grown-up know.
Questions kids ask about snakes
How do snakes move without legs?
Snakes use strong muscles and belly scales that grip the ground. They push against bumps, curve side to side and stretch and bunch up to move along.
Are all snakes dangerous?
No. Most snakes are not venomous and are harmless to people. Still, it's always best to leave wild snakes alone and tell a grown-up.
Why do snakes flick their tongues?
Snakes smell with their tongues. They flick them to collect scents, then touch the tongue to a special smell organ in the roof of their mouth.
What is the biggest snake?
The reticulated python is the longest snake, growing over 20 feet. The green anaconda is the heaviest.
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