STILETTO SNAKES (Mole Vipers, Burrowing Asps): Expect the Unexpected

            Found in Africa, Stiletto Snakes (Atractaspis) are well-suited for their underground life.  Burrowing through the earth, They look for a tasty Lizard.  Finding one, Stiletto Snakes stab the unfortunate animal with their fangs, and then eat Him. These Snakes can kill without opening their mouths.  Highly venomous, Stiletto Snakes possess huge venom sacs.  Because They live underground, Stiletto Snakes are only encountered by people when they dig in their gardens. 

            Because of their large horizontal fangs, Stiletto Snakes can strike sideways and backwards.  With a jerk of their heads, these Snakes kill by a sideways stab of their fangs.  (Unlike other venomous Snakes, these Snakes stab their victims instead with their fangs.)  The stabbing injects the venom, earning these Snakes the name “stiletto”.  Although these Snakes are venomous, They are not considered to be Vipers.  Causing much taxonomic confusion among scientists because of their unusual fangs, Stiletto Snakes have been placed in their own family for the time being.

            Be prepared and on guard counsel Stiletto Snakes.  Instead of striking forwards, these distinctive Snakes will stab backwards.  Be wary or you will suffer the consequences, for there is no known antidote for their venom.  Irascible by nature, Stiletto Snakes will stab quickly and often sideways and backwards.  Expect the unexpected hiss Stiletto Snakes. 

MILK SNAKE: Telling Stories

One of the most widely distributed of terrestrial Snakes, Milk Snakes (Lampropeltis triangulum) are found from Canada to Ecuador.  People will often discover these Snakes living under rocks or wooden boards.  As opportunistic hunters, Milk Snakes successfully prey upon Rodents that live in those places.

Boldly patterned Milk Snakes are sometimes mistaken for Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.  Moreover, one member of the Milk Snake Family, Scarlet Kingsnake resembles Coral Snake.  Like their fellow King Snakes, Milk Snakes also hunt Copperheads and Rattlesnakes but not Coral Snakes.

An Old World folk tale has become associated with Milk Snakes.  According to various stories, Milk Snakes suck the milk from nursing mothers and cows until they are dry.  Of course, Milk Snakes lack the anatomy to suck and digest milk.  So these folk stories are false.

This myth arose because people discovered these nocturnal Snakes nosing about their homes and barns.  Milk Snakes were of course hunting Rats living in abundance there.  However, instead of sucking milk, these Snakes brought good health by killing vermin instead.

            Check your facts thoroughly before telling stories counsels Milk Snakes.  Silly stories may abound about these Snakes but they do cause undue fear in humans.  Imagine a person encountering a Milk Snake after hearing these inane tales.  Instead of repeating tales, discover if they are true or not or you may cause harm to innocent parties.

KINGSNAKE SUBFAMILY (Lampropeltis): Love of Art

Exceptionally adaptable for a Reptile, Kingsnakes live in a rich diversity of habitats, ranging from scrublands to wetlands.  To keep warm and cool, They often hide under rocks or fallen logs.  Kingsnakes living near ponds and streams will swim to hunt for their meal.

As powerful constrictors, Kingsnakes hunt and eat other Snakes.  The “King” in their name refers to their preying on other Snakes as food.  Immune to their venom, Kingsnakes hunt Copperheads and Rattlesnakes.  (However, They are not immune to Coral Snakes.)

            Brightly colored Kingsnakes are sometimes mistaken for Coral Snakes.  In fact, a multitude of rhymes exist to inform people how to tell the difference.  (“Red and Yellow kills a fellow.  Red and black are safe for Jack.”)  However many Kingsnakes do not share the same habitat with Coral Snakes, and also are not convincing mimics.  But the rhymes are entertaining nonetheless.

            Kingsnakes come in a rainbow of polished colors – reds, oranges, yellows, tans, blacks, and whites.  Designs of bands, patches, rings, speckles, spots, or stripes are vividly displayed on their bodies.  In fact, Kingsnakes are best known for their kaleidoscope of colors and skin patterns.  With bright contrasting patterns on their bodies, Kingsnakes create optical illusions as They quickly move across the earth.  This usually startles any predators lurking nearby.

            Kingsnakes ably demonstrate the depth and breadth of art, since their bodies are a riot of designs and colors.  Each Snake is an incredible work of art.  With their fanciful markings, individual Snakes within the species can differ from each other.  Explore color and design and create beauty as Kingsnakes do.  Love and appreciate art along with Them.  

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HOGNOSE SNAKE SUB-FAMILY (Heterodon): Proper Use of Masks

            Preferring the sandy areas of North America, Members of the Hognose Snake Sub-family hunt their favorite prey – Toads.  Immune to the toxic secretions of these Amphibians, Hognose Snakes will dig into the dirt for Them.  Contrary to popular belief, these Snakes do not use their rear fangs to pop Toads who puff Themselves up.  Instead the venom of these stout Snakes are toxic to the Toads. 

            Hognose Snakes use their unusual nose to root around in the soil looking for buried Toads. (Their snout is a large nostril scale.) Named for this distinctive nose, these Snakes use it for digging and burrowing.  Unlike the other Snakes, Hognose Snakes will dig their own burrows to sleep in. 

            Besides their upturned noses, Hognose Snakes are noted for their myriad ways of evading predators.  First, these clumsy and slow Snakes will blend into their environment.  If that does not succeed, Hognose Snakes will burrow to escape a menace.  Finally, They will also roll over on their backs and play dead.

            Hognose Snakes are also called “Puff Adders” or “Blowing Adders”.  When threatened, these Snakes rear back, flatten their heads, and take a deep breath.  After that, They inflate their bodies and hiss loudly.  People often mistake Hognose Snakes for venomous ones, and leave Them alone.

            Hognose Snakes teach about hidden identities and the proper use of masks.  Although, They do not pop the bodies of Toads, Hognose Snakes have become known as “Toad Poppers”.  Their threat displays have earned Them their name of “Puff Adder”.  These harmless Snakes have taken on an identity of a venomous Viper to save Themselves.  This serves Them well to have a fearsome reputation, since They are usually left alone.  However, Hognose Snakes are sometimes mistaken for Rattlesnakes and are usually killed. Therefore use masks wisely counsel Hognose Snakes.

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Science Notes:

1.      The common name of “hognose snake” also refers to the hognose snakes of Madagascar (Leioheterodon) and hognose snakes of South America (Lystrophis).

2.      Puff Adder (Bitis arietans) is a venomous member of the Viper Family.  This African snake is not related to any of the hognose snakes.

GABOON VIPER: Dangerous Beauty

The heaviest Snake in the world, Gaboon Viper is easily identified by her broad triangular head.  Her spade-shaped head houses her huge venom sacs.  As an ambush predator, Gaboon Viper anchors her heavy body to the ground.  Stationary, She waits for an unwary animal to come by.  In a lightening fast move, She kills her prey with her venom.

            Because of her sedentary nature, Gaboon Viper is usually underestimated to be a dangerous Snake.  Also, her mellow placid nature lulls people into a false sense of security.  However without warning, Gaboon Viper will bite and kill them.

            Preferring to be invisible, Gaboon Viper digs Herself into the leaf letter of the floor of the African jungle.  Her intricately patterned body also helps to camouflage Her.  Purple and dark browns mix with pastels to create a work of sheer beauty which is her body.  With interlocking diamonds and triangles, sacred geometry is openly displayed on her skin.

            Gaboon Viper seems mellow and colorful.  In addition, her body is a work of art to be admired.  However hidden underneath that beauty is a deadly Snake.  Look but do not touch.  Do not be lulled into a sense of safety.  Remember beauty hides Gaboon Viper’s danger and death.