Snakes!

Snakes! Say the word and for a lot of people, shivers go up and down their spine. Snakes have been objects of fascination or fear and suspicion since ancient times. Sadly, for some people, their first reaction to a snake is to pick up the nearest shovel or hoe and quickly dispatch the intruder. Snakes, however, play a key role in the balance of nature.

We often are asked: What kind of snake is it? Is this snake poisonous? What good are snakes anyway?

The following information is an attempt to answer some of the most commonly-asked questions about these fascinating, yet all too often persecuted, maligned, and misunderstood creatures.

Snakes FAQ

Snakes look so different, Where do they fit in with the other animals?
Texas is always bragging about having the most, the biggest, and the best of everything.
How do we rank in terms of snakes?
Which of the five families of snakes that occur in the U.S., are found in Texas?
What basic information should people know about snakes?
Where do snakes occur in the world?
What makes snakes look so different?
What other distinctive characteristics do snakes exhibit?
How did snakes get to look the way they do?
How can you tell one snake from another? Don't they all look alike?
What other ways can you identify a snake, if the color pattern doesn't give it away, and the snake is acting too feisty for an analysis of the scale patterns?
How would you describe the behavior of most snakes?
What does it mean to be cold-blooded?
Do snakes have any social structure? Do they ever hang out in packs?
How long do snakes live?
What do snakes eat? How do they swallow their food?
Family life - Reproduction - Courtship - Finding mates
Do snakes have any enemies?
How do snakes defend themselves?
Is a snake "poisonous" or "venonmous?"
How can I tell the difference between a venomous snake and a harmless one?
How best can I avoid getting bitten by a venomous snake?
How can I make my habitat hospitable to snakes?
How can I discourage snakes from coming into the yard?
Are there any snakes considered rare, threatened or endangered in Texas?
Fun Facts about Snakes
Are there any good books on snakes?

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