Forums about snakes are similar to sites for restless young mothers, because feeding issues, content and animal disease are discussed there with trepidation and attention, just like children's. There is nothing impossible, and the specialists in reptiles are not so difficult, as it seems, the main thing is that it is really people with experience and knowledge of the case. Despite the fact that the pets are customary to buy in pet stores, all reptile experts in one voice advise to take snakes from the hands. Dmitry Istomin * who is interested in learning Reptile, explained it like this: "First, prices, secondly, sellers are generally overestimated in pet stores, as a rule, absolutely nothing know about snakes."

What snake to buy, if you are new?

How many snakes live?

If you can care about snakes, they can live and 20 years old, bringing offspring, and may not live 2 months.

What "house" needs your potential reptile?

The conditions for the content of the snake depends on its type. "Some need moisture is almost 90%, but by others, on the contrary, such humidity will hurt. For any reptile, including snakes, a temperature gradient is required, that is, one warm angle, where the snake may warm and digest food, and one cold, where the temperature will be slightly lower, then the snake itself will choose optimal for life. But mainly for the most common types of gradient 25-30 degrees, "said Kristina Baryshnikov, the owner of the snake.

Snake breeders say that you can buy a special terrarium of glass and plastic with doors, ventilation. The amount of such a purchase can do in 2,000, and maybe 20,000 rubles. The second option of the dwelling for the snake is a food container or a container for storing things. In it, it will be necessary to build ventilation on top and on the side of a hot selection. By the way, you do not follow a small snake (20-30 cm) in a large terrarium. Snake will have stress, it will be aggressive and refuses food. All this is determined by the fact that they are mainly sitting in ambush.

In the terrarium, the pool is required, in which the snake can fully fit. Then shelter is preferably, it is optional only for wood snakes. Also needed: heating mats, cords, ceramic lamps, IR lamps, mirror lamps or gas lamps. Ultraviolet snakes are optional.

Ration

The most important thing is what your desire should be based on the snake, it is love for reptiles. And then you will be sure that you can feed her living creatures, such as rodents and birds.

"It is impossible to feed snakes sausages, pieces of beef or chicken or the fact that it will take up. All snakes eat rodents, birds, there are species that eat snails, lizards and other snakes, "explained Kristina.

Even food, on the advice of knowledgeable people, it is better to grow or buy from the same terrariumists to avoid snake disease because of a bad diet.

Snakes can not:

Acquaint other pets;

Troat during molting (but you need to spray the terrarium every day);

Take a few days after making food, you can not carry mouses, rats and other food in your arms, and then immediately take Zei. They have bad eyesight, but excellent smell: the snake will react on the smell of the mouse, which you held a couple of minutes ago, and your warmth, and necessarily bite;

With force to unleash from the busted part of the body. You need to wait when she goes to let you go, otherwise you can only drive injuries to yourself, and the snake is still stronger;

To bring to the face.

In general, with any snake you need to handle carefully and carefully. "Any snake is dangerous, there is no manual snake, it's not a friendly dog, not affectionate cat and not a cute hamster, it is a predator, and very serious who perceives us at best as a warm tree, but at worst - as a threat. There is no snake without teeth or snakes who do not know how to use them, they know how to use them, and very well and the reaction they have a lightning room ", -summarized the owner of the snake.

* If you have some questions about what you need to get a snake, contact

Poisonous snakes from the virtary family perfectly adapted to existence in any climatic conditions and landscapes. Vijuki live in Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Lucky only live in Australia, New Zealand and on other Ocean Islands.

Basically, Vijuki lead a settling lifestyle, occasionally committed forced migrations to winter habitats, constituting several kilometers on the way. Most of the summer, Vauduki spend, basking on the sun or hiding in the heat under the stones, feeded the roots of trees and in the crevices of the rocks.

Where and how are the snakes of Vijuki?

Winter Gadyuk begins in October-November. For winter "apartments", various holes are chosen to go to the ground to a depth of 2 m, where the plus air temperature is preserved. With a high population density, several hundred individuals often accumulate in one hole. The duration of wintering depends on the range: the northern types of Viguuk winter up to 9 months a year, inhabitants moderate breadth Get out of the surface in March-April and immediately begin to reproduce.

Poison viper - the consequences of snake bite and symptoms

Poison Vauduki is considered potentially dangerous for a person, and the bite of some representatives of the Gadyukov family can be fatal and lead to a fatal outcome.

Nevertheless, poison Vauduki found its use, because it is valuable raw materials for the manufacture of medicines and even cosmetics. The poison is a cocktail of proteins, lipids, peptides, amino acids, sugars and salts of inorganic origin. Preparations obtained from Phajuki poison are used as painful in neuralgia and rheumatism, with hypertension and skin diseases, to remove asthma attacks, with inflammatory processes and bleeding.

In the body of a person or an animal poison, Gadyuki enters through lymph nodes and instantly enters the blood. The consequences of the bite of viper are manifested by burning pain, redness and swells are formed around the rings, which in 2-3 days pass without any serious consequences. With severe intocication of the body, after 15-20 minutes after the purple of the viper, the following symptoms appear: bite feels dizziness, nausea, chills, rapid heartbeat. With an elevated concentration of poisonous substances, fainting, convulsions and coma.

Bite Vijuki - First Aid

What to do if the viper was bitten:

• First of all, immediately after the bite of viper, be sure to provide the bite organ (usually these limbs) rest, fixing it with the likeness of Langetki or, for example, simply by contacting the hand in the bent position of the scarf. Limit any active movements in order to avoid the rapid spread of the poison of viper by the body.
• The bite of viper is dangerous and can be fatal for a person, so in any case, regardless of the severity of the condition of the victim, you should call an ambulance!
• Pressing the fingers at the bite's place, try to slightly uncover the wreck and suck the poison. It can be done by mouth, periodically flatly flattening saliva, but the method is permissible only if there are no damage in the mucous membrane, scratches or yasers. You can try to reduce the concentration of poison in the wound with the help of an ordinary glass glass using it on the principle of making medical cans. Poison suction is carried out continuously, for 15-20 minutes.
• Then, the place of the purulent bite should be disinfected by any submitumed tool: cologne, vodka, alcohol, iodine, and impose a clean, slightly gulling bandage.
• If possible, it is desirable to take a tablet of an antihistamine drug to reduce the allergic reaction to the poison of viper.
• Take as much liquid as possible - fastening tea, water, but refuse to refuse coffee: This drink increases blood pressure and increases excitability.
• With a serious defeat, an artificial respiration and long-lasting heart massage is carried out as first aid after the purust of Viuki.

Sometimes the Viper is confused with representatives of the familiar -, cavities and cores, which often leads to the murder of innocent animals. You can distinguish a poisonous snake from harmless in a number of signs.

What is the difference from viper? Site similarity and differences

It's not poisonous snake, Vijuka poisonous and deadly is dangerous for a person. The similarity of the horny and viper is obvious: both snakes can have a similar color and meet a person in the forest, in a meadow or near the reservoir. Nevertheless, these reptiles have certain signs for which they can be distinguished:

• The appearance of the horny and black viper differs, despite the same skin color. Ordinary horns have 2 yellow or orange stains on the head, similar to miniature ears, and violets have such noted.

• Focus exclusively on the color of the snakes are not worth it, since the couch, and the viper can be similar in coloring. For example, the color of water wool can be olive, brown or black, with different stains. In addition, in black water, there is no yellow mark on the head, because of which it can be easily confused with viper. The coloring of the viper can also be olive, black or brown, with the presence of various spots scattered through the body.

• And yet, if you look at the stains, you can see the next difference of snakes: I can have a stack on the body in a chess order, many types of Guadyuk have a zigzag strip on the back, running along the whole body, and there are also specks on the sides of the body.

• The next difference between the horns of Vijuki lies in the fact that the pupil is vertical, it's round.

• In the mouth of Vijuki are sharp teeth who are clearly visible when the snake opens the mouth. There are no teeth.

• Already longer than viper. Body Length Hroid is usually 1-1.3 meters. The length of the Vauduki is usually varied between 60-75 cm, although there are views reaching 3-4 meters (Bushmaster). In addition, the viper looks much fading.
• The tail of the violence is shortened and thick, yield is thinner and long. In addition, Gadyuk, the transition from the body to the tail is clearly expressed.
• Vauduki differ from the triangular shape of the skull with clearly designated abnormal arcs, the oval-egg-shaped skull.

• The rear-point latch is solid, and the horny consists of 2 scheels.
• When meeting with people, the cough is trying to rely on and hide, viper, most likely, will show full indifference or aggression, if you step on this poisonous snake or just hurt it.
• Couples love raw habitats, so they can often be found next to the reservoirs, where they float and catch frogs. The viper feeds mainly, so they choose other habitats: forests, steppes, dense grass.

• Violeka is a poisonous snake, Medeyanka is not poisonous.
• In many violet, a dark-colored zigzag strip passes along the back, and the pattern on the back "scattered" the pattern of specks or dark spots. But there are black viper, which do not have lanes.

• The head of viper has a triangular shape with pronounced arcs over the eyes. Medican has a narrow head, elongated.
• In the mouth of Vijuki are the teeth that the snake biting prey. Medican has no teeth.
• The pupil of the Medica Round, whereas the viper is vertically-slotted.

• The rear-in-going shield of the Medickery consists of a pair of scales, but the Vijuki is solid.
• Noticing a man, Mesyanka will hurry to hide in shelter, Viper either will not pay attention to a person, or the offensive will begin.

• In the mouth, Vauduki and Polania are teeth, but at the same time the bite of poisonous viper is dangerous and can lead to death, and the bite of a caution, although it causes pain, but does not carry mortal dangerSince there is no poisonous gland.
• The viper's head and body are separated by a shortened jumper, imitating neck, there is no neck interception.
• The back of most violet or monochrome, black, or has a dark strip, passing a zigzag along the entire back. Coloring can be monophonic, with transverse dark spots on the back or mesh.

• Polania has a distinctive drawing on the top of the skull - the strip of dark color between the eyes, the viper has such a decoration.
• Gadyuk is much shorter and looks back with a caustion. Polles can grow up to 1.5 meters in length, and the standard size of the vigor is 60-70 cm. Only the largest viper have the length of the body reaching 2 meters.

Types of Gadyuk - Photo and Description

Modern classification highlights 4 Pickyuk's subfamily:

• pokewicks,they are rattling snakes or grief (crotalinae): they are distinguished by the presence of 2 infrared pits, which are in the recess between the eyes and nostrils;
• zhabia Gadyuki.(Causinae): belong to the egg-shaped type of snakes, which is a rarity among all representatives of the family;
• gadyukovy(Viperinae) - the most numerous subfamily, whose representatives live even in the conditions of the Polar region (ordinary violence);
• a.zemiopinae.- The subfamily, represented by the only genus and view - Burmese Vajka Fairy.

Today, science knows 292 species of Gadyuk. Below is a few varieties of these snakes:

• Ordinary viper ( Vipera Berus.)

a relatively small representative of the family: the body length is usually located within 60-70 cm, however, in the northern part of the range there are more than 90 cm long. The weight of viper varies from 50 to 180 grams, and the females are a bit larger than the males. The head is large, slightly flatted, the muzzle is rounded. Color is rather volatile and multifaceted: the color of the main backdrop background is black, light gray, yellow-brown, reddish-brown, bright copper. Most copies along the back passes a brightly pronounced pattern in the form of a zigzag strip. Prysto viper gray, brown-gray or black, sometimes supplemented with whiten stains. The tip of the tail is often painted in bright yellow, reddish or orange tone. This type of gaduk has a fairly wide habitat. The ordinary viper lives in the forest belt Eurasia - meets from the territories of Great Britain and France to the Western regions of Italy and East Korea. Cozy feels in hot Greece, Turkey and Albania, penetrating and for the polar circle - is found in Lapland and in countries on the coast of the Barents Sea. In Russia, ordinary viper lives in Siberia, Transbaikalia and the Far East.

• Hawken Gadyuk(Vipera ammodytes.)

it differs from other types of soft, sharp, scaly growing on the tip of the face, resembling a smoky nose. The length of the viper is 60-70 cm (sometimes 90 cm). Body coloring - gray, sandy or red-brown (depending on the species), along the back there is a zigzag darkest bar or a series of strips in the form of rhombuses. The viper is inhabited by a nosed on stony landscapes from Italy, Serbia and Croatia to Turkey, Syria and Georgia.

• Steppe Viguka (Western Steppe Vigo) ( Vipera Ursinii. )

a poisonous snake that lives in the plain and mountain steppes, on the Alpine meadows, in ravines and semi-deserts. Steppe violets are found in the countries of South and Southeastern Europe (in France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Albania), in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia (in the Caucasus, in the southern part of Siberia, Rostov region, Altai). The length of the viper with a tail reaches 64 cm, females are larger than males. The colors of the snake brown-gray, the ridge passes a dark brown or black zigzag band. Dark specks are scattered on the sides of the body.

• Horned Cuffiy(Trimeresurus Cornutus., Protobothrops Cornutus.)

it is allocated among the relatives with small horns, located above the eyes. The body of the viper is up to 60-80 cm long painted in creamy-lettuce color and dotted with dark brown specks. Almost all his life, the snake spends on trees and shrubs, going down to the ground only for mating. Horned Cuffiya is a typical inhabitant of the South and Southeast Asia, lives in China, India and Indonesia.

• Burmese Phajka Fairy, or chinese Gaduk.(Azemiops Feaee.)

egg-possession, great rarity among the viper. Received her name, not because of the fabulous character, but in honor of Zoo Leonardo Fea. The length of the Vauduki is about 80 cm. On the head of the snake grow large, like the cramps, shields. The top of the body is greenish brown, the bottom of the cream, the head is most often yellow, the sides pass the yellow stripes. Occurs in Central Asia In the south-east of Tibet, Burma, China and Vietnam.

• Noisy Gaduk(Bitis Ariethans.)

one of the most beautiful and most dangerous species of African violence. The guy bite noisy in 4 out of 5 cases leads to a fatal outcome. The snake received its name for the perturbed hiss, published in case of danger. The body of the viper is disproportionately thick with the girth of up to 40 cm with a length of about 2 m. The painting of the viper can be golden yellow, dark beige or red-drone. Along the body there is a drawing, consisting of 2 dozen brown marks in the form of a Latin letter U. The noisy viper dwells throughout Africa (with the exception of the equator), as well as in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

• (Bitis Nasicornis)

it has a special decoration on the face consisting of 2-3 vertically sticking scales. The torso is thick, can reach a length of 1.2 m, and covered with a beautiful pattern. On the back there are blue patterns-trapezoids with a yellow border, connected by black rhombuses. The sides are covered with black triangles alternating with rhombuses with red border. The head of viper with bright blue "cheeks" is covered with black arrows with yellow edging. Prefers to settle in wet, swamp forests of Equatorial Africa.

• Kaisaka, or labaria (Bothrops ATROX)

the largest viper from the kind of kopegol, growing up to 2.5 m in length. A distinctive feature of Kaisaka is lemon yellow chin color, thanks to which the snake called the "yellow beard". Slender body Covered with gray or brown skin with a diamond pattern on the back. Kaisaka dwells throughout Central America, in Argentina and coastal islands South America.

• Rhombic ramucher(Crotalus Adamanteus)

record holders rumpti Snake By the number of "Odov" poison (660 mg from one snake). Large viper can grow over 2 m in length and weigh more than 15 kg. A series of 24-35 black cars along the back, painted in brown tones, with a diamond brilliance of rhombuses with a light yellow cut. This viper lives only in the United States: from Florida to New Orleans.

• Gürzaor Levantian Gadyuk.(Macrovipera Lebetina.)

the most dangerous and poisonous viper, the poison of which is inferior to toxicity only poison. Refers to the egg-shaped type of snakes. The length of the body of an adult gurza can reach 2 meters, the weight of the Vauduki is 3 kg. The color of the body is gray-brown, with dark spottedness, prone variability inside the range. Some individuals differ in black bodies with a purple tide. Violence in dry foothill, as well as on the outskirts of large cities of North-West Africa, Asia, Transcaucasia, Dagestan and Kazakhstan.

• Dwarf african viper ( Bitis Peringueyi.)

the smallest viper in the world, the length of the body of an adult individual does not exceed 20-25 cm. Due to the modest sizes of the body - a relatively safe view of a viper, living in the deserts of Namibia and Angola.

• Bushmaisteror Surukuk ( Lachesis Muta.)

the largest viper in the world rare viewreaching a length of 3-4 meters with a body weight from 3 to 5 kg. Inhabited wet rainforests South and Central America.

Many readers are known that snake Gadyuk refers to the class of reptiles. But not everyone knows that this family of creeping reptiles has more than 58 species.

The habitats of these creatures are very diverse, for example, they can be found in most of the African continent, in Asia, as well as for the most part european territory.

Gaduki feel great in dry steppes, and in the humid climate of the equator forests. Can settle on the rocky slopes of the mountains and to excruit the northern forests.

Basically, Vijuki prefer ground-based Life, but among their congor, there are often such individuals who lead the underground lifestyle from the curious eyes. A bright representative This species can be called earthwood From the sort of stud (atractaspis).

Earthwood

The main factors for the life of the serpent of this family are the presence of food and a sufficient amount of light. Everything else is not so demanding. Gadyuk classas previously noted very varied, but about four representatives we will tell in more detail. So, Meet.

Ordinary viper dwells throughout the European part globe, in areas of Asia, even in the north, up to the polar circle. Lifestyle She is settled - does not like frequent change of habitat.

The snake in the slits of the Earth, in the nonorah rodents and other secluded places. Leaves winter parking usually in the middle of spring, but it depends on the geographic location.

In the photo of Viotka ordinary

Great geography steppe gadyuk Very extensive. It can be found in the steppes of the European zone, especially in the western part. She has chilled East Kazakhstan, the steppe regions of the Caucasus and the coast. About Gadyuk A lot of interesting facts are known, for example, they are able to carry out march throws at a height of up to 3000 m above sea level.

Snakes often choose a certain territory for their habitat, where there are no other representatives of this class besides. In winter, creeping is hidden under the ground, and they are buried on a decent depth (1.0 meter or more).

On the photo Steppe Vijuk

But the fact is that even with the weak minus the snake may die, so these cautious creatures are reinsured and go to the depth, which can save heat. Vortyuki often winter big groupsBut can fall into the hibernation and one by one.

Waking up from a long winter sleep, with the onset of Spring, Viper crafts, find stony surfaces, where sunny baths are happy with pleasure.

In our country violent ordinary and steppe You can meet everywhere and meeting with her does not promise anything good. After all, the poison of large individuals is deadly for people, not to mention small little animals and birds for which enough small number The deadly substance to die when bite. Full bite Vijuki. Causes victim's death within a few minutes.

Character and Lifestyle Vijuki

Gadyuk can not be called record holders on the run, because they are too slow. They are able to spend all day lying without unnecessary movements. But with the onset of twilight snakes, they are activated and proceed to their favorite lesson - hunt.

It should be noted that large individuals can still lie for a long time, expecting that the production itself will fall into the defeat area, and then the launching will not miss the chance to enjoy the fact that itself came to her as lunch.

The main distinguishing feature of Gadyuk is that they are perfectly owning the art of swimming, swam for them a wide river or a rather large reservoir.

Probably, therefore, Gadyuk can most often meet on the shores of the reservoirs, but they are also not bent and swamps, and here they are just sisha. Often, people use the phrase "swamp, sising by viper, and this is not sensible common sense.

Gaduki love to settle in wetlands

Everyone knows that snakes are devoid of limbs, but it does not interfere with it. After all, they can move freely with the help of their natural plastics and a soft spine. Gracefully pressing among the stones, creeping creatures are able to develop quite a decent speed.

But the Lord of these creatures did not endorse with good hearing and sharpness of view. The serpent completely lacks a hearing aid, and the sockets are covered with a dense transparent veil. We also have grown reptiles, and therefore they cannot blink.

It is reliably known that black viper Poisonous. The only representative of this class is not a danger to a person. Signs of Gadyuki: Snake has two large teeth in which the poison is accumulated.

On the photo black viper

The poisonous substance is produced by paired glands, located on both sides of the eyes, and they connect with the ducts with the teeth. Interestingly, all species have an interesting structure of the teeth. Poisonous fang is located on the bone, which is very mobile.

Therefore, when the snake is closed, the tooth takes horizontally position, but there is a creature to open your mouth, as a poisonous fang becomes a rack - occupies a vertical position.

Viguka ordinary. The most common is precisely this kind of snake. This reptile reaches a half-meter, but there are also individuals of the largest, whose length from the head to the tip of the tail is 80 centimeters.

Distinctive feature Vijuki is her pattern resembling zigzag

It is triangular to the structure of the head, while this part is noticeably highlighted on a thick torso. Nature endowed a viper with a variety of shades - from inconspicuous gray to bright red-brown. There are also black, olive, silver, bluish violets.

A characteristic feature of the color is a dark zigzag passing along the entire range. It is not so often possible to meet a viper with dark stripes located across. On the head reptile there is an identifying characteristic sign in the form of the letter V or X.

Through the center of the eye throughout the section of the head, a clear strip of black is passed. Interesting fact: Snakes calculated the number of scales on the body and revealed that there are 21 scales around the body in the middle of the body (rarely 19 or 23).

You will not bite in anyone who does not obey the serpent, in principle. Only if not a ridiculous traveler comes to it, then she will give a decent fire. Such snakes are called peaceful. She will prefer to quickly retire from the place where it can be noticed and hid.

Steppe Gaduka. This type of reptiles is much smaller in the size of the previous species and an adult person as usually can rarely reach a half-meter. Unlike his relative, Vajuki ordinary steppe viper has a pointed, slightly raised face.

Violek has bad eyesight that compensates for its rapid response

Nostrils dissect the lower left of the nasal partition. Black bending band throughout the length of the body, along the ridge, too. On the sides, dark spots are clearly identified. If you flip reptile on your back, you can see that it is gray with numerous scarves of a light shade.

If compared bite steppe and easy viper poisonThe first option will be less dangerous for a person. Gabonskaya Gaduk. Bright representative of African poisonous snakes. This is truly a solid part.

Gabon Viguka is found in Africa

The body is thick - 2.0 meters and more, and the mass of quenched individual reaches 8-10 kg. Snake is very notable for bright motley color, which resembles a painted carpet. handmade.

Figures are filled different geometric figures various bright saturated colors - pink, cherry, lemon, dairy, blue-black. This snake is recognized as one of the most deadly, but due to the fact that it is very phlegmatic, many believe that it is not so dangerous as everyone thinks about her.

It can be easily raised by the tip of the tail, put back, and it does not even wish to make a formidable look. But to tease the snake is extremely undesirable, because in a rage she stays long and "to come together" with her is unlikely to succeed.

Among other things, Gabon Viper has the longest teeth full of poison. Looking at photo Gadyuk You can see the distinctive signs of reptiles.

Frecks are not poisonous representatives of Gadyuk. Distinguish horror from gadyuki.you can on bright orange spots located on the side of the head. In addition, they have round eye pupils, and the species described earlier, and all the other pupil is narrowed and located vertically.

Also this type of serpent has no characteristic zigzag on his back. Although water painting is very much reminded by the coloring of the viper, because many confuse the chess location of spots with a characteristic winding along the ridge.

In the photo of water so, which because of the similar color is often confused with poisonous viper

But near, it is possible to consider that the stains are interrupted, and not divert not intermittent zigzag. Just from the head to the tip of the tail narrows evenly and the triangular type of head is unusual.

Nutrition Gaduki

By nature, all kinds of snake predators. They are able to inject the victim entirely, not only small rodents and birds, but and quite large animals, such as others. Sometimes mining is much thicker of the reptile body, which does not interfere with the snake to swallow it entirely.

Such actions of the violence can perform thanks to the special joints of the jaws. The structure of the lower jaw allows you to stretch forward and then return to the original position.

In addition, the souls of the jaws are connected on the chin and, if necessary, can easily disperse on the parties.

The nutrition composition is dependent on its habitat. Usually, they prefer mice for lunch and. But chicks are beloved food. Small animals, amphibians and lizards are added to this list. It is very interesting to watch the violence when she hunts.

The main mining of steppe violence are rodents and insects. Perfectly on the trees, they are not difficult to check the nests of birds, as well as birdhouses to find their favorite delicacy - chicks there. Bird eggs also brings pleasure. However, this snake loves himself to pamper a delicacy in the form of small ungulates.

Gabonian viper by nature hunter. It takes a place in the ambush, the twilight will rain and when the warm-blooded animal approaches the desired distance, throws and swallows it entirely. She adores to eat, hares and other inhabitants of her range. It does not scream to taste and dwarf, fought off the flock.

Reproduction and life expectancy

Season of mating in the snake passes in the spring - mostly it is May. Pregnancy Vajuki, like many other reptiles class of reptiles, depends on the weather and ranges from three months to six months. What is the most amazing, sometimes a pregnant snake can even be overwhelmed.

Usually they are produced on the light of 10-20 young ones like that. Breeding, they immediately inherit from parents to poisonousness. A few hours after birth, young individuals linen. You can observe an interesting point during childbirth.

In the photo, the birth of a vivoric snake

The female wrapped the tree, and the born cubs fall straight to the ground. Young people live in a forest litter or in nonorah, feed on insects. The snake can begin to multiply in a fairly solid for reptile age - about 5 years. Males are becoming sexually filled at 4 years old.

The life expectancy of Viguuk in nature is 10 years on average. Steppe violets multiply begin at 3 years old. Life expectancy is less than that of ordinary viper, only 7-8 years. Gabonian viper, as, however, and all the types described are vivigatory.

Male, as true gentlemen during courtship, never bite each other. The period of pregnancy lasts about 12 months. It is able to produce from 10 to 40 young.

Below we will answer the question of how old the snake lives both in the conditions of wildlife and in captivity (zoos, terrariums). What is the term of her life - and the maximum, and the average, from which factors it depends, and maybe if the enemy is a snake man. You will read about all this in this article.

Snakes. Who is this and where do you live?

Representatives of the commercial class - snakes - are found on the entire space of the planet, except for them in the air. They mastered the earth from the polar circle and to the southern regions of the American mainland. Dwells in a variety of ecosystems - steppe, forest, deserted, mountainous. True, most snakes still prefer tropics (Asian, African, American, Australian). There are snakes characteristic only for a specific range. But there are also real cosmopolitans. For example, one of the most common snakes of the globe - Gaduka - mastered all the continents.

You will not find snakes in Greenland, Iceland and Ireland - that is, areas close to high latitudes.

However, it is not necessary to think that snakes divorced with an excess. Like I. most of Animals, under the onslaught of the economic activity of man and its irrepressive thirst for the development of new land, some types of serpent today are considered disappearing - in the international red book, 30 species are located, and in Russian - 15. Among the red domestic snakes, such species like a nosed violence and Central Asian Cobra are among the Red-Founded Domestic Snakes.

Snake life duration in wildlife

In the wild conditions, the study of snake life, including its duration, is quite a difficult task. It requires a lot of time, special conditions, professionally scientists. It is easier to do it in captivity, of course. But some data from researchers still have. For example, how many years does one of the most common snakes live? The answer is known: the maximum duration of her life in wildlife 12-15 years old.

For wilded, this is a lot, since there are many factors that reduce the life term of these reptiles. First, the snakes live in a limited space, moving no more than one hundred meters. Secondly, snakes have natural enemies. These are birds feeding with snakes (storks, owls, most of the representatives of hawk, in particular, snakes, etc.), as well as beasts - ferrets, badgers, foxes and even hedgehogs. Well, many individuals are sifted, while still young, for example, from diseases.

In general, serpentologists say that the magnitude of the snake body is directly related to the duration of her life. So, the poloz, like snakes of small sizes, live 10-15 years. But the pythons are already reaching for up to 30 years, and according to some data, even to half a century.

Allegedly in the tropical jungle existed giant Latin American deputies living in 120 years. True, clarify how reliable this information is not possible. It is quite possible, these are speculation.

How many years does the snake live in captivity?

It is customary to think that in captivity, with proper care, some types of snakes can live half a century. Indeed, not so long ago in the Moscow zoo graduated from Dark Piton's days. He lived for about 50 years and reached longer than 5 meters. As much can live in terrarium and royal Piton.. But it is believed that these are long-lived recorders among the snakes contained in captivity.

In addition, these data were not registered officially. But well-known data on various types snake. They are quite a long time, but that are definitely not rumors.

So, the record of longitudeship among snakes belongs to the smooth patch. He died in the Philadelphia Zoo in 1977 and lived just over 40 years.

And how much does the snake Anaconda live? It is known that in the Washington zoo, one of the ancondes extended 28 years.

The average duration of snake life is from 10 to the maximum period of 20 years. How many years old can you learn from also quite reliable sources. These largest poisonous snakes lived in captivity for more than 30 years, and they grew throughout life, as a result, the length of the body of individual specimens was more than 5 and a half meters.

Other types of Cobre in captivity live from 12 to 15 years, American Couroored can live 18.

And of course, it is necessary to understand that we are talking about the content of an animal in captivity, and the captivity assumes the conditions of detention, a complete diet, the absence of enemies, the ability to conduct the existence of the existence and veterinary care is supplied to the instance. As a rule, all this is possible in the zoo.

But these days are increasingly there are amateurs that contain snakes at home. But if the snake is incorrectly (for example, the poloz, which is recommended for the novice content) will not extend a pair of months. And with the right one, it will reach up to two decades and, perhaps, please the novice serpentologist with its offspring.

Conclusion

Among all the extraordinary species of animals on the planet of the snakes are the most peculiar. By one appearance near a person, they often cause a latter panic or even a light attack of paranoia. This horror can so hit him that the snake met even not able to determine the poisonous snake in front of him or harmless.

Meanwhile, it is believed that snakes cannot experience aggression to man and attack, only defending. Indeed, all snakes are predators, and looting for them in wildlife are lizards, small rodents, frogs, birds, fish, snails. It is worth noting that most snakes are so whimsical that they prefer food of one type throughout life.

At the same time, the well-known precautions when handling snakes will not damage. Because all the same, any snake is dangerous, all snakes have teeth, and they all know how to use them, regardless of them, are or not poisonous. There is no snakes of the same manual as our favorite cats, dogs, hamsters. The snake is a serious predator, and it perceives a man at best as a warm tree (because all snakes are sensitive to heat that radiates the body). In the worst, the snake will feel the threat in you, and its reaction in this case will be lightning.

Snakes (Serpentes), the subverse of the reptiles of the scaly (Squamata). Ruthless animals with a thin, highly elongated body, devoid of mobile eyelids. Snakes occurred from lizards, so they have a lot of damn with them, but two obvious features allow us to almost always accurately distinguish these two groups. The vast majority of lizards have limbs. The snakes of the front legs do not happen, although sometimes rear rudiments are sometimes noticeable. Urban lizards, outwardly very similar to snakes, moving eyelids. Snakes are also characterized by the features of the structure of the head and bodies associated with their peculiar power method.

It is known to OK. 2400. modern species snake. Although most of them live in the tropics and subtropics, the subverse is distributed almost all over the world. There are no snakes only in regions with permafrost, because during winter hibernation They need underground shelter to survive the cold season. Only a few species live in the seas. About 500 species of serpent poisonous; Of these, approximately half represents a serious danger to humans.

(On the photo on the left - Python).

Anatomy and site physiology

Snakes, like all other reptiles, belong to the vertebral animals. Their spine can consist of hundreds of vertebrae. A large number of latter and as a consequence, the amazing flexibility of the body allocate snakes among all reptiles. The snake vertebra is difficult and firmly connected to each other. Paris ribs are almost as much as non-sufficient vertebrae.

The absence of limbs does not limit the mobility of snakes, since the long body allows them to develop special, very effective methods locomotion and fishing. Specific methods of its swallowing also compensate for the uncenel, and these reptiles, using their jaws and rolled torso rings, surprisingly deftly "manipulate" even relatively large objects.

Snake scales are thickening of the outer layer of the skin. Its living fabrics are growing, and the cells that appended on the surface are strongly keratinous, become rigid and die away. Between the scales there are areas of thin elastic skin, which allows the conversion to stretch, and snake the objects of even greater diameter than themselves. As the snake grows it. To reset the outer layer of the skin, it first breaks it around the mouth of the opening, for which she rubs his head about the ground or another solid surface. Then the snake tightens the old covers, shifting them back and turning inside out. Often, the skin comes off with one piece like a stockulka. For the first time, the snake lines aged several days, and young animals renew the cover significantly more often adults. On average, the molting occurs more often than once a year, but its frequency depends on the species and features of the habitat.

Released leather (cracks) is colorless, and the drawing on it is noticeable very weakly. Pigment cells that color snake covers are locked deeper - in lively fabric. Although patterns are very diverse, three main types of them can be distinguished: longitudinal stripes; transverse strips on the back or completely encircling the body at equal intervals; Uniformly distributed stains. The drawing is often masking and allows the snake to merge with the background. Determine the animal floor in color, as in others external signs, difficult even specialist. However, the females of most species are larger than males, and their tail is shorter.

The length of the smallest kite is only 12.5-15 cm with a mass of not more than 10-15 But the giants exceed the length of 9 m and weigh hundreds of kilograms, being actually the longest among modern ground vertebrates, and the fossil species were twice as long as the current ones. Opinions about the limit sizes of the serpent diverge. Some herpertologists consider the maximum length of 11.4 m, attributing it to Anaconda (Eneces Murinus), a giant rent from South America. The largest snake North America - Common Break (Boa Constrictor) up to 5.6 m long, which, however, is rare for him. Seven species are 5.4 m longer - it is either flip, or pythons, with the exception of a poisonous royal cobra (Naja Hannah) up to 5.5 m long, which is found in South and Southeast Asia.

Snakes along with fish, amphibians and other reptiles belong to cold-blooded, or ectotherm, animals. This means that they, in contrast to mammals and birds, do not produce enough heat to maintain a constant body temperature. Therefore, snakes love to bask in the sun. At the same time, they are weakly protected from overheating, which quickly kills them. At least one type of pythons can not be called completely cold-blooded, as the female is capable of warming pending eggs a little, curling around them with a ring.

Meals Snake

Snakes of medium-large sizes eat almost exclusively by other reptiles, mammals, birds, amphibians and fish. Many small species eat insects and other invertebrates. Mining almost always captures alive and, if it is harmless or difficult to kill, the same and swallowed. Large, evil or too moving animals snakes are immobilized by poison, lingering or just crushed by waking up with their body.

Grabbing large prey, the snake firmly holds her mouth with the help of numerous sharp, curved teeth back. During ingestion, it widely spreads the branches of the lower jaw and pulls them away from the cranial box. This is possible due to the fact that the corresponding bones are connected by elastic ligaments, and the upper jaw is also moving. Each half of the lower jaw regardless of another moves forward along the victim, pushing it into the throat. Then the process includes the muscles of the pharynx and the movement of the body, helping the snake how to drive into the nose of food. No shredding or chewing occurs. The process of swallowing a major victim can last more than an hour. While the jaw and the throat squeeze it, the fucking fucked by the cartilage rings is shifted down so that the snake can breathe. In this way, the animal can swallow prey superior in size, if only it is a comfortable form.

The ability to eat large animals allows some snakes to be fed only a few times a year. However, the same species may swallow and finely mining, which, naturally, has to be mined much more often. Three or four dense "lunches" per year, especially in the case of a long hibernation, is enough to maintain a good form, and there are many cases when snakes are without food for a year and even longer.

Locomotion

It is believed that snakes are very quickly crawling, but attentive observations prove the opposite. A good speed for a large snake is about the same as a pedestrian, and most species move more slowly. Maximum speed for these reptiles, and then on a short distance, a little more than 10 km / h.

Usually snakes crawl, S-figuratively bending in the horizontal plane, when their body is pressed against the ground. The translational movement is due to the fact that the rear side of each bend is repelled against the irregularities of the substrate. A snake that crawls along loose sand leaves behind himself at equal distances, oblong hills, rising at the pressure of her body to the ground. This usual way of locomotion is known as lateral wave, or simply "serpentine". To move in such a way on the smooth surface, the animal cannot. However, it is used when swimming, and snake swims well. Their transparent eye-protected eye and the ability to detain their breath for a long time make easier in water.

The so-called "crawler" at times use large, heavy snakes. At the same time, they move in a straight line due to wave-like cuts, underlying muscle skin. The waves run one after the other from the neck back, and the shields on the belly of the animal are repel from the irregularities of the soil.

"Side stroke" is used by snakes on bulk sands. That is the front, then the rear of the body in turn is moved closer to the target, meeting the minimum resistance on the way. Snake as it should be walking, or rather, "jumps", holding sideways to the direction of movement.

Most snakes snaps well. Specialized wood forms have long transverse abdominal shields on the sides bent outward, forming two longitudinal crests - one on each side of the belly.

Reproduction of Snake

With the onset of the season of the reproduction of the snake actively seek a sexual partner. At the same time, excited males use a chemical analyzer, "scent" air language and carrying insignificant amounts to them chemical substancesleft in a female environment, to the pair Jacobson organ in the nurse. Clearing helps recognizing partners: each species uses their special stereotypes of movements. In some species, they are so complicated that dance resemble, although in many cases the males simply rub the chin about the female back.

In the end, the partners are intertwined by tails, and the hemipetis of the male is introduced into the female clock. The copulatory body in the serpent pair and consists of two so-called. Hemipetsis, which, when excited, are made from Cloaca. The female has the ability to store live sperm, so after a single mating can produce offspring several times.

(In the photo on the right - a tiger one).

Cubs appear in different ways. As a rule, they are hatched from eggs, but many types of snakes are niphelistic. If the incubation period is very short, the latency of the egg laying may lead to the fact that the cubs will get out of them within the body of the mother. This is called eggsheet. However, some species are formed a simple placenta, through which oxygen, water and nutrients are transmitted to the embryo.

Most snake nests are designed extremely simple, but still eggs are postponed anywhere. The female is looking for a suitable scene of a heap of a rotting organic material that would protect them from drying, flooding, sharp changes in temperature and predators. When the eggs are guarded by their parents, they not only scare away predators, but also, visiting the sun, can warm the masonry with their body, which is developing faster at elevated temperatures. A certain amount of heat is also released when rotting the nest material.

The number of eggs or the cubs produced on the light of the female at a time fluctuates from several pieces to about 100 (in egg-shaped species there are more than those who have lived). Large pythons are especially fruitful: sometimes they postpone more than 100 eggs. The average of their number in the masonry in the snake is probably not more than 10-12. It is not easy to determine the period of pregnancy from these reptiles, as females can retain living sperm for years, and the duration of the embryo development depends on temperature. Different types of reproduction also complicate the task. However, it is believed that some grazing snakes pregnancy lasts approx. 5 months, and ordinary Gadyuki. (Vipera Berus) - a little more than two months. The duration of the incubation period varies even more.

Snake life expectancy

The overwhelming majority of snakes reaches puberty to the second, third or fourth year of life. The growth rate reaches a maximum by the time of full of puberty, after which it is noticeably reduced, although the snakes are growing all their life. The maximum age of most snakes is probably ok. 20 years, although some individuals lived almost 30.

In the nature of the snake, like many other animals, rarely achieve old age. Many are dying with rather young due to adverse conditions. ambientAs a rule, becoming victims of predators.