Due to the misconception regarding reptiles, I thought that for a few upcoming posts, I will write about various myths surrounding reptiles and what the truth is behind the myths. Hopefully the articles will allow people to see how wonderful reptiles are and how rewarding working with or keeping them as pets can be.
Myth 1: Are snakes slimy?
The answer to that is no, snakes are not slimy. In fact they are dry and soft to touch and can be a joy to handle. They do not feel like eels and other likewise creatures. I myself love handling snakes and find that they can sometimes tickle when you hold them!
The misconception that snakes are slimy comes from the fact their scales are iridescent and this makes them appear wet and slippery. The only time that a snake may feel sticky is during the shedding process as the animal releases a secretion under their old scales to help them slide of the skin more smoothly.
Snakes skin is made up of the protein keratin, this is the same material that makes up human hair and nails!
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| Snake Scales |
Myth 2: Why does that snake not bite you?
Snakes normally do not attack people without good reason. They normally strike because of two reasons: to defend it's self when threatened and to a feeding response. It also depends on the breed of snake as some are naturally more aggressive than others. Others simply seem to enjoy handling.
Other reptiles eventually get conditioned and tolerate handling. It's also important to always respect the animal and be as gentle as possible. If you are handling a snake aggressively this may provoke a defensive strike. The difference between a defensive strike and a feeding response is: If the snake strikes quickly and lets go, it's probably a defensive strike. If the snake bites down and will not let go, this is normally due to a feeding response. Although this may not always be accurate, for example venomous snakes will bite and let go due to both reasons. Although venomous snakes should ONLY be handled by trained individuals.
The keeper of the snake will understand the animal and know when their animal is not in the mood to be handled. If the snake is showing signs of aggression or distress then it is better left alone. I myself have experienced this with my royal python.
Other reptiles eventually get conditioned and tolerate handling. It's also important to always respect the animal and be as gentle as possible. If you are handling a snake aggressively this may provoke a defensive strike. The difference between a defensive strike and a feeding response is: If the snake strikes quickly and lets go, it's probably a defensive strike. If the snake bites down and will not let go, this is normally due to a feeding response. Although this may not always be accurate, for example venomous snakes will bite and let go due to both reasons. Although venomous snakes should ONLY be handled by trained individuals.
The keeper of the snake will understand the animal and know when their animal is not in the mood to be handled. If the snake is showing signs of aggression or distress then it is better left alone. I myself have experienced this with my royal python.
Myth 3: Can a snake hurt you with it's tongue? Can it envenom you by licking?
The answer to this myth is no, their is no way any snake can hurt you with it's tongue alone weather the snake is venomous or not! For venom to work it has to be injected to reach the blood stream through the animals needle like fangs, although some snakes can spit venom by ejecting it from their fangs.
Snake venom works by immobilising prey whilst also aiding the snake to digest it's meal. The venom is made via the animals venom glands that are located behind the eyes or on either side of the head. The glands work by storing venom in the alveoli before being conveyed to a duct at the base of the fangs, allowing the snake to inject or spit.
There are many different types of toxins carried in the venom which work in a number of ways. Neurotoxins, cytotoxins and hemotoxins are most common. Neurotoxins work by attacking the nervous system and the brain. Hemotoxin induces swelling, cardiovascular damage, and eventual necrosis. It also effects the functionality of blood and other body tissues. Cytotxins attack immune cells and can cause necrosis. Necrosis can induce patients to lose membrane and shut down metabolism.
For more information on venomous reptiles click here
Myth 4: When a snake stretches out beside me is it going to eat me?
The short answer is no, it is not sizing you up to eat you. Snakes prey depend primarily on the girth of the prey compared to the girth of the snake as they can consume food 1.5 times their girth. Most likely reason for a snake stretching out beside you would be to acquire heat radiating from your body. You will find that people will say something like "My snake tried to eat me because it laid next to me" but if you think about it, when you feed a snake it doesn't stretch itself out beside the rodent, measuring it.
Myth 5: Do snakes kill people for fun?
I have never encountered a situation in which this has been documented. Snakes do not kill for sport or for fun. Like most animals, snakes only kill when they are hungry and it will be prey of appropriate size. For example, a snake wouldn't kill a fully grown elephant for obvious reasons. If a snake feels threatened, it will either try to shy away or strike out of fear, not because they find it fun to do so. Snakes, as cold blooded animals, need to conserve as much energy as possible, therefore they would not attack as long as they are not provoked.
The answer to this myth is no, their is no way any snake can hurt you with it's tongue alone weather the snake is venomous or not! For venom to work it has to be injected to reach the blood stream through the animals needle like fangs, although some snakes can spit venom by ejecting it from their fangs.
Snake venom works by immobilising prey whilst also aiding the snake to digest it's meal. The venom is made via the animals venom glands that are located behind the eyes or on either side of the head. The glands work by storing venom in the alveoli before being conveyed to a duct at the base of the fangs, allowing the snake to inject or spit.
There are many different types of toxins carried in the venom which work in a number of ways. Neurotoxins, cytotoxins and hemotoxins are most common. Neurotoxins work by attacking the nervous system and the brain. Hemotoxin induces swelling, cardiovascular damage, and eventual necrosis. It also effects the functionality of blood and other body tissues. Cytotxins attack immune cells and can cause necrosis. Necrosis can induce patients to lose membrane and shut down metabolism.
For more information on venomous reptiles click here
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| Snake Venom |
Myth 4: When a snake stretches out beside me is it going to eat me?
The short answer is no, it is not sizing you up to eat you. Snakes prey depend primarily on the girth of the prey compared to the girth of the snake as they can consume food 1.5 times their girth. Most likely reason for a snake stretching out beside you would be to acquire heat radiating from your body. You will find that people will say something like "My snake tried to eat me because it laid next to me" but if you think about it, when you feed a snake it doesn't stretch itself out beside the rodent, measuring it.
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| Burmese Python with a Child |
Myth 5: Do snakes kill people for fun?
I have never encountered a situation in which this has been documented. Snakes do not kill for sport or for fun. Like most animals, snakes only kill when they are hungry and it will be prey of appropriate size. For example, a snake wouldn't kill a fully grown elephant for obvious reasons. If a snake feels threatened, it will either try to shy away or strike out of fear, not because they find it fun to do so. Snakes, as cold blooded animals, need to conserve as much energy as possible, therefore they would not attack as long as they are not provoked.
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| Loads of Snakes! |
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