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Page 2 of 2 The boidaes(python and boa) were now limited only to the
parts of the world with high temperatures, while the colubrids could
survive almost everywhere. Not surprisingly the number of colubrids
greatly increased, and they spread all over the world.
Over time
some of the colubrids developed rear fangs. In rear fanged snakes,
their fangs are at the back of their mouths making the venom not
intended as the only weapon against prey, but rather as an aid in
addition to constriction. Many people keep rear fanged snakes as
pets(for example the hognose and gardener snake), as it is rarely you
get venom injection from them; you would have to get your hand all the
way inside their mouths for the snake to inject it.
Just to make
one thing clear in case of misunderstanding, the corn snake (as well as
the milk snake and the king snake) are NOT rear fanged. They have no
venom whatsoever.
This site is about corn snakes and ball
pythons, however I'll include a little information about how the snakes
evolved further, that you can use for reference.
After some of
the colubrids developed rear fangs, another group emerged which has
been called Elapids. I only have to say mamba to make it obvious that
this group of snakes uses their venom as their main defense and attack.
The elapids have short fangs in their upper jaw that can inject poison,
and the fangs are hollow and get its poison from the venom gland in the
snake's cheek. The elapids injects venom much more efficiently than the
rear fanged snakes. Other members of this group are cobras, sea snakes,
taipans and adders. Their fangs is basically what distinguishes this
group from the colubrids, as they are otherwise very much alike.
The
snakes evolved even further, a few million years ago the group vipers
began developing. Their fangs are a lot longer then the elapids. The
group get its name because most of the vipers are ovoviviparous, they
give birth to live babies(not eggs). In latin "vivo" = "I live", and
"pario" = "I give birth". The rattle snake, probably the most
"advanced" snake alive today, evolved from the vipers to get un-shed
skin at the end of its tail that it can use to warn predators.
To
conclude the snake's history; they developed from a monitor lizard,
went through a phase of burrowing, came up to the surface leg- and
earless, then developed into different groups, each with their own
characteristics. Seeing as the snakes have been here since the
dinosaurs, and are still thriving all over the world (except the arctic
region), snakes are one of the most adaptable and successful creature
there is.
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