Snakes are everywhere! They're in the grass, in the trees, in the water, and in the air!
Snake in the Grass
Terrestrial snakes live on the ground - whether in a field, on a forest or jungle floor, among rocks, or on the sand. These snakes tend to be long and thin, allowing them to slip into and under almost anything. Personally, I've kept a lot of snakes in my house; if a snake can fit its head through a space, the rest of its body will most likely follow. This is especially true for juvenile snakes since their head-to-body circumference ratio is larger in comparison to their full-grown versions.
 A common natural hideaway for a terrestrial snake is under the trunk of a fallen tree. Because it's dark and cool there, the snake can retreat from the heat of the day and find a safe place to hide from potential predators. Terrestrial snakes also have colors and patterns that help them blend into the grass, logs, dirt or sand. These features break up the reptiles' shape so that they are even less recognizable as snakes.
Watch Where You Step
Fossorial snakes and semi-fossorial snakes live in the ground. They burrow into the substrate and make homes there. Because snakes lack limbs and claws to dig with, it's not uncommon for a snake to invade another animal's burrow and force it out (or just eat it). These reptiles have evolved in a way that helps them travel through soil or sand. Their heads are slightly pointed (like gardening spades) and their scales are rough.
Swimming Snakes
Marine and aquatic snakes spend much of their time in the water. Over the years, marine snakes have adapted to living in the sea. Their tails have become wider and flatter, providing these reptiles with a natural rudder or paddle. Their nostrils have moved higher on the skull so they can take a breath easily while swimming. Many species of marine snakes have special muscles to close their nostrils when they have to swim beneath the surface. Marine snakes also have salt glands that allow them to excrete the salt they ingest from seawater.
Almost all snakes know how, or can easily figure out how to swim. Only a few, however, spend a significant amount of time in the water. Even fewer still never venture onto dry land.
That's Not a Vine
 Arboreal snakes live in the trees. Just like the tails of marine snakes, the snouts of many arboreal snakes have evolved to resemble the shape of a leaf in order to blend into the surrounding foliage.
Some arboreal snakes are extremely thin, which makes them look like vines. Many of the larger species are shaped much differently. Their heads are large and most of their body mass is towards the end of their bodies. This allows them to use the front portion of their bodies to easily reach or strike at potential prey without throwing themselves out of their trees. In my experience, I have also found that arboreal snakes tend to be stronger and more muscular than terrestrial snakes, which gives them an advantage in the trees.
Some extraordinary arboreal snakes can also be found gliding from tree to tree. They are the result of some amazing evolution. I'll discuss these flying snakes in detail later, in the locomotion portion of this series.
Next Time
In the next portion of my snake series, I'll present different families of snakes and discuss what separates one family from another.
Thanks for reading!
Other Blog Entries
New Animal Attractions
Reptiles: A Scaly Introduction
Snakes: A Family Affair (Part 1)
Snakes: A Family Affair (Part 2)
Snakes: Clever And Deadly Behaviors
Snakes: Do The Locomotion (Part 1)
Snakes: Do The Locomotion (Part 2)
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