Snakes are some of the most widely feared and revered animals in all of history. They've inspired myths and legends and continue to play big ecological roles in nature and symbolic roles in popular culture. Their allure often obscures true snake facts, but scientists have learned a great deal about these reptiles.
On thisssss lissssst is a host of random snake facts, interesting snake facts, and cool snake facts to satisfy your craving for fun facts about snakes. Impresssss your friends with all this creepy information about snakes, because who doesn't love learning a little slithery info about snakes?
It's Venomous Snakes, Not Poisonous Snakes
The technical difference between poison and venom is that poison is inhaled or ingested whereas venom is injected. Venomous snakes like vipers and cobras inject their prey with venom through their fangs.
A Snake's Paired Organs Are Arranged in a Line
Humans have their paired organs - kidneys, lungs, and gonads - aligned side by side in their body. Due to the elongated body of a snake, their paired organs are arranged one in front of the other.
Snake Hearts Move Around in Their Bodies
Snakes lack diaphragms, which means the heart's position in the body can adjust somewhat. This usually happens so that the heart doesn't get damaged when the the snake is ingesting large prey. They can literally make room for dessert!
The Titanoboa Is the Largest Snake That Has Ever Lived
This extinct species of snake lived about 60 million years ago. The picture above is a model exhibited at the Smithsonian, but fossilized vertebrate comparisons led paleontologists to believe these snakes could reach lengths up to 42 feet and weigh as much as 2,500 pounds!