The Unusual Snakes

There are about 3,000 species of snakes in the world; since their appearance during the age of dinosaurs they have adapted to many different lifestyles and evolved into many different and often bizarre appearances. We will give you ten of the most amazing and unusual snakes in the world.

1. Sea Snake

This species has photoreceptors on its tail, allowing it to detect light variations and possibly detect approaching predators while feeding as previously described. That’s right; to some degree, the Golden Sea Snake can see with its tail! Where will evolution take Sea Snakes next? We still have a lot to learn about them, but even what we know is enough to earn them the first spot in this list. But perhaps the most amazing sea snake is the Golden Sea Snake. Sea snakes are easily the most unusual of all snakes. They belong to the same family as cobras and coral snakes (Elapidae), but they have adapted to a completely marine lifestyle; in some species, the adaptations are simply incredible. There are 62 species recognized to date, and they are found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans; they are all extremely venomous, with some species, such as the Beaked Sea Snake, having venom up to ten times more powerful than a cobra’s. One sea snake species, the Belcher’s sea snake, is considered by experts to be the most toxic of all snakes, marine or otherwise. Fortunately, sea snakes are usually docile and human fatalities are exceedingly rare.

2. Flying Snake

Flying Snakes are even better gliders than flying squirrels. While squirrels can glide up to 60 meters from one tree to another, Flying Snakes can glide up to 100 meters or more, and they actually ”slither” in mid air, which gives them better stability and some degree of control over their ”flight”. Flying snakes are venomous, but not dangerous to humans. Flying snakes are found in the rainforests of India and southeastern Asia, and, despite their rather alarming name, they can’t actually fly. They are, however, accomplished gliders. When a Flying Snake wants to go from one tree to another, it launches itself into the air while flaring out its ribs and sucking in its stomach, thus flattening and widening its body and turning into a pseudo-concave wing. As amazing as it may sound, They feed mostly on lizards and other small animals, and spend most of their time up trees.

3. Tiger Keelback

They feed mostly on frogs and toads. Other than their bright colors, Tiger Keelbacks look kind of normal; however, they have a very interesting defense mechanism. Also known as yamakagashi, or Japanese water snake, this species is found mostly in Eastern Asia. It is small, rarely exceeding one meter in length, and very shy, so much in fact that they were considered to be harmless for a long time, until someone died of a yamakagashi bite in the 80s. Fortunately, due to their docile temperament, these snakes are very unlikely to bite and fatalities remain exceedingly uncommon. Also, since their venomous fangs are located in the rear of the jaws, they can’t inject their venom as easily as other snakes. Recently, it was discovered that these snakes feed on poisonous toads; not only are they immune to the toad’s poison, but they can actually ”sequester” this poison and store it in a couple glands they have in the neck.

4. Elephant Trunk Snake

They can grow up to 2.5 meters long. Elephant trunk snakes are completely aquatic, and are practically helpless on land; they can’t slither because they lack the broad scales in the belly that are common to most snakes, and an important aid when moving on land. Elephant trunk snakes feed on fish, including catfish and eels; they lack venom, so they use constriction to kill prey; their big knobby scales are an adaptation to hold slippery fish and constrict them underwater. This weird snake is found mostly in Indonesia, although some close relatives are also found in Australia. It gets its name from its unusual skin, which is wrinkled and baggy, and gives the impression of being several sizes too large for the snake.

5. Langaha nasuta

This is one of the few cases in which a snake’s gender can be determined easily at first sight. Langaha nasuta snakes are found only in Madagascar’s endangered rain forests. It is venomous and its bite can be extremely painful to humans but not life-threatening. This is easily one of the weirdest reptiles in the world. Just like the Asian vine snake, the Langaha snake (also known as the leaf-nosed snake) is adapted to an arboreal lifestyle and feeds mostly on lizards. Its most interesting trait is, of course, the weird ”horn” or projection on its snout. Both genders have this weird ornament, but males and females look very different from each other; males are yellowish and have smooth skin and a sharp, pointed ”horn”, while females have rough-looking brown scales and a flat, leaf-shaped and serrated horn.

6. Burrowing Asp

The Burrowing Asp is a smallest snake from Africa that spends most of its time underground. It feeds on rodents, and has enlarged fangs that function basically as venomous saberteeth, protruding out of the mouth when in use. This means that the Burrowing asp can bite without even opening its mouth- which is very useful, since it prevents dirt from entering the snake’s mouth during the struggle. The fangs are also flexible and can be moved independently from each other, meaning that the snake can stab its prey sideways with one fang, and once it has killed its victim, it can use the movable fangs to actively manipulate the prey’s body for easier swallowing. Burrowing asps are venomous and there are cases of children dying after a bite; however, in adult humans the venom is usually not lethal.

7. Atheris Viper

Atheris vipers grow up to 75 cms long, with males being longer than females (unusual among snakes). Like all vipers, Atheris has long, retractable fangs in the front of its upper jaw; there is no known antidote to its venom, which causes blood clotting difficulties, pain and swelling, and often, death. Found in the rain forests of Central Africa, this small but highly venomous viper is noted for its huge eyes and keeled, bristle-like scales which give it an almost feathered appearance.

8. Tentacled Snake

This snake is located in the South East Asia. Tentacled Snake is considered as the last species drom their genus. This swift serpent only needs 15 millisecond to catch their prey. Tentacled snake is an aquatic serpent just like the elephant trunk snake.

9. Long Nosed Vine Snake

The next serpent is the Long Nosed Vine Snake can be located in the South East jungle. This arboreal predator has super sight and they can catch their prey with precision. Their main diet is consist of toad and lizard.

10. Horned Viper

Horned viper can be located in the North African and Middle East dessert. This snake is hiding in the desert waiting for their prey. Horned viper has two unique horns above their eyes. Although horned viper is categorized as the venomous snake but it’s not so dangerous for human as the bite accident is rarely reported.

11. Emerald Tree Boa

Emerald Tree Boa is considered as the non poisonous serpent. They can grow up to 3,6 feet in length. Emerald Tree Boa can be located in the South American rainforest. They hunt for small animals such as mice, frog, and bird.

12. Blue Coral Snake

 

This is the Blue Coral Snake. They can be found in the South East Asian continent. Unlike The Emerald Green Boa, this snake is very dangerous as it’s really venomous. Blue Coral Snake is the expert of camouflage in the nature. They usually hunt in the night looking for unaware small animals.

13. Blind Snake

Blind Snake or Leptotyphlops humilis is really unique as it’s the only species that don’t have eyes. Blind snake can be located in Madagascar. This snake has 30 centimeter in length. This snake looks like a worm.

14. Albino Nelson’s Milksnake

This amazing snake can be located in Mexico. Albino Nelson’s Milksnake can grow up to 110 meter and it’s also categorized as non venomous. This snake hunt for the other small animals such as mouse, bird and lizard. Albino Nelson’s Milksnake is making their nest inside the rainforest.

15. Rainbow Snake

The unusual snake as seen on the picture is Rainbow Snake. This serpent is considered as the member of Xenopeltidae. Rainbow snake inhabiting the moist and swampy area around the coast, river and forested area. This snake is usually hiding inside a dead tree, rock or bury themselves underground.