12 Extraordinary Facts About Snakes That Most People Don’t Know

Snakes are some of the most mysterious creatures on Earth. But did you know there are some facts about snakes that are fascinating? Prepare to have your mind twisted like a boa constrictor because we’re about to slither into the extraordinary world of snakes! From flying serpents to prehistoric egg thieves, and a snake that ditches its fangs to become an egg-snacking connoisseur, these weird and wild facts will have you hissing for more!

#12 Snakes Have No Eyelids

Snakes never blink. In fact, they don’t even have eyelids! They sleep with their eyes wide open, which might explain why they always look a bit…creepy. Instead of lids, snakes have a transparent membrane called the “brille” (German for glasses), which acts as a protective shield for their eyes. How convenient would that be for humans?

#11 Snakes Can Fly (Sort of)

Yes, you read that right—some snakes can “fly.” Okay, they don’t exactly sprout wings, but members of the Chrysopelea family like the Golden Tree Snake also called the Ornate Flying Snake can glide through the air. Found in Southeast Asia, these snakes flatten their bodies to form a strip, allowing them to soar up to 330 feet. They use something called aerial undulation to stay stable mid-flight. Imagine a snake gliding through the air like a living bungee cord!

#10 Snakes Are Solar-Powered

No, they don’t have mini solar panels. But snakes rely on the sun’s heat to regulate their body temperature. As ectothermic creatures, their body temperature changes based on their surroundings. While they’re often called “cold-blooded,” the real term is ectothermic—meaning their body heats up or cools down based on where they are. That’s why you’ll often see them basking in the sun.

#9 Snakes Once Snacked on Dinosaur Babies

Yes, prehistoric snakes had a taste for baby dinos. Fossils from India show evidence that ancient snakes, like the primitive Sanejah Indicus, coiled around dinosaur nests, waiting for hatchlings to emerge. It’s thought that, due to the size of their jaws, they couldn’t eat the eggs but waited for the young to hatch before feasting. Talk about a sneaky predator!

#8 Snake Venom Might Prevent Strokes

Here’s a shocker: what can kill you might actually save your life! Snake venom is being studied for its potential in stroke prevention and even cancer treatment. Researchers are investigating how certain venom toxins interact with blood platelets, which could lead to breakthroughs in preventing irregular blood clots and even stopping the spread of cancer.

#7 Spitting Cobras Are Sharpshooters

Cobras are like the sniper of the snake world. Spitting cobras can eject venom straight into the eyes of their target from up to six feet away with deadly accuracy. This is usually a defense mechanism, as cobras track the movements of a predator before launching their attack. Their aim is so precise, they rarely miss their mark.

#6 Not All Snakes Lay Eggs

Contrary to popular belief, not every snake lays eggs. Around 30% of snake species, especially those in colder regions, give birth to live young. The Russell’s viper takes things a step further, with some females giving birth to as many as 40 live babies at once!

#5 Boa Constrictors Don’t Need Males to Reproduce

In a remarkable twist, boa constrictors can reproduce without mating. In a phenomenon known as parthenogenesis, females can give birth to baby boas without male fertilization. A boa in North Carolina even gave birth to female offspring that were perfect genetic copies of herself. Talk about girl power!

#4 Some Snakes Steal Venom

The Asian Rhabdophis tigrinus or the Yamakagashi is a non-venomous snake that becomes poisonous after eating toxic animals like toads. These sneaky snakes store the toxins in glands near their neck, which they can release when threatened. Even more impressive, pregnant females pass this venom to their offspring, providing a built-in defense mechanism until the young are ready to hunt on their own.

#3 They Smell with Their Tongues

Snakes smell with their tongues! Instead of relying on their nostrils like most creatures, snakes flick out their tongues to pick up scents. They have a special organ called the Jacobson’s organ, located on the roof of their mouth, which helps them detect scent molecules. The forked shape of their tongues makes them even better at this, allowing them to gather chemical signals from different directions and intensities all at once.

#2 Binocular Vision

Like a sci-fi alien, many snakes, including pit vipers and vine snakes, have binocular vision, where the image from each eye overlaps to create one focused image. This ability allows them to better judge distance and depth, making them more efficient predators. Snakes with this special vision were recently rediscovered in India after a 113-year gap!

#1 The Snake That Ditched Venom for Eggs

Meet the dasypeltis, a snake that decided eggs were more important than venom or fangs. The dasypeltis, a genus of colubrid snakes is one of only two taxonomic groups of snakes that have adapted themselves by giving up fangs and teeth to feed exclusively on eggs. They possess flexible jaws and necks to swallow eggs larger than their heads. Instead of teeth, these snakes use bony protrusions in their spine to break the shells. After carefully squeezing out every drop, they spit out the crushed shells. Efficient and resourceful, wouldn’t it make a perfect pet for an egg lover? Wasn’t that a wild ride through the world of snakes? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow us for more fascinating content!