The word snake day, held on 16 july aims to increase awareness about the different species of snake all around the world. There are more than 3,000 species of snakes on the planet They’re found everywhere except in Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland, Greenland, and New Zealand.
This day is an opportunity to celebrate snakes and raise awareness about their preservation. Snakes are threatened by many issues that affect the wildlife .The habitat loss, climate change,disease,negative attitudes toward snakes may be the biggest barrier to their preservation because it often impedes efforts to address other threats.This day to share positive stories about snakes with their friends and families.
History of Snake
The snake is one of the oldest mythological characters and has been revered by civilizations the world over.Snakes are highly effective predators and play a vital role in maintaining the balance of nature.Snakes have a prehistoric background, giving us a glimpse back to a prehistoric time when the earth was ruled by reptiles.These reptiles are literally the living, breathing cousins of dinosaurs.
Snakes were originated on land, rather than in water, during the middle Early Cretaceous period (around 128.5 million years ago). This period coexist with the rapid appearance of many species of mammals and birds on Earth.Snakes are thought to have evolved from terrestrial lizards as early as the Middle Jurassic Epoch (174.1 million to 163.5 million years ago).
Snakes are limbless reptiles, evolved from (and grouped with) lizards, there are many other species of lizards that have lost their limbs independently but which superficially look similar to snakes.
Some Amazing facts about snakes
- The inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is considered the most venomous snake in the world.
- Around 600 are venomous and over 200 are considered to be medically important .
- The sidewinder snake is the fastest in the world. It can move at a speed of up to 18 mph (29 kph). The second fastest snake in the world is the black mamba.
- The reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) is the longest snake in the world, regularly reaching over 6.25 metres in length.
- Australia is famous for more deadly snakes than any other country worldwide.
- Venomous snakes have one very known and major weakness, the cold. They are cold blooded creatures.
- Snakes have infamously poor eyesight, which is why they resort to sticking out their tongues all the time to get a sense of their surroundings.
World Snake Day is an annual celebration that celebrates the world’s snakes. On World Snake Day, people learn about the different types of snakes and how to keep them safe.On this day, we pay tribute to the many diverse snake species around the world and recognize the important roles they play in our ecosystems.
