Snakes have always had the upper hand in the animal world. Their venom kills quickly, their strikes happen in milliseconds, and their reputation for stealth keeps several predators at bay. But one ...

How big they are: Can range from 4 inches (10 centimeters) to over 30 feet (9 meters) There are about 4,000 different snake species in the world today. They occupy a wide range of habitats — some ...

If you grew up on nature documentaries, you probably have “snake = scary predator” wired into your brain. But out in the real world, snakes are very much on the menu. Birds stomp them. Mammals chew ...

Snakes (Serpentes) live almost everywhere on Earth, except the polar regions, which are too cold for these cold-blooded animals. Snakes live in deserts and forests, whether these environments are ...

Snakes have adapted to climb trees, leap across hot sand, and even swim through water — all without arms or legs. What’s their secret? Mike Bock This corn snake, shown here at the Smithsonian's ...

How do snakes manage to swallow and digest animals that are bigger than their heads? Unlike humans and many other animals, snakes don’t chew their food. They swallow their prey whole, which can ...

Warmer weather brings more time for social interactions, outdoor adventures — and encounters with wandering snakes. Staying alert during snake season tends to be a good idea, and knowing how to ...