SNAKES ARE REPTILES
Snakes belong to the animal group called reptiles. This group also includes crocodiles, lizards, and turtles. Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that raise their body temperature by lying in the sun or lower it by crawling into the shade. Their body temperature changes to the temperature of its surroundings. Because of this, snakes that live in colder climates must hibernate through the
winter. They will find burrows or caves and fall into a deep sleep until the weather warms up enough for them.
There are more than 2,700 species of snakes in the world. They live almost everywhere, in deserts, forests, oceans, streams, and lakes. Snakes live on the ground, in trees, and in water. There are a few areas where snakes do not live. They cannot survive in places where the ground stays frozen
all year around, such as in the high mountainous regions, above the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. Some islands, including Ireland and New Zealand, do not have snakes at all. |
|
Rattlesnake entering its burrow.
|
|
Photo
Source: National Geographic Photo Gallery
Photographer: Bruce Dale |
|
