How many species of snakes are there?
Snakes belong to the reptiles and, within these, to the scaled reptiles (Squamata). They are a group of animals that are associated with many myths. Everyone knows what they look like. But do you also know how many species of snakes there are?
The individual snake species can be very different. A general classification for laypeople is simply that of poisonous and non-poisonous specimens. Regardless of this, a total of about 3000 snakes are known. Many of them live in tropical climes, some you know from our native nature.
Species of snakes from small to huge
- As with almost all animal groups, there are also very small and huge representatives of the snakes. The giant snakes include around 90 species. It's the phytons and boas. The largest living reptile in the world is the great anaconda (Eunectes murinus). It can be up to nine meters long and does not kill its victims with poison, but with strangulation.
- The approximately 50 species of slender blind snakes are only up to 40 centimeters long. Some spend a large part of their lives buried underground. These small species of snakes feed on ants and termites. Did you know that?
- The most species-rich group of slender reptiles are the snakes. It includes around 1800 species. Most of them are harmless, like our native grass snake. Only two species of snakes in this family are poisonous. Venomous snakes and sea snakes make up a different family. About 250 species belong to this group.
- Other venomous snakes are the vipers or otters (around 40 species) and the pit vipers (around 120 species). The size of the poisonous representatives also varies considerably. You can easily overlook our adder with a length of around 50 centimeters. This is hardly possible with a king cobra up to 5.5 meters long. It is the largest venomous snake in the world.
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There are many snakes that inspire fear
The poisonous species of snakes in particular spread a lot of fear where they are still common. The bite of some can also be fatal to humans and other large mammals. However, snakes only kill to eat. They prefer to avoid people.
- In Europe the adder is known as a venomous snake. It is now so rare that it is under nature protection. Since the animals perceive every vibration in the ground, they are usually long gone before you discover them. Due to its rarity, it is hardly possible to come across it in the wild.
- Poisonous species of snakes also play a role in medicine. Their venom is obtained in snake farms. You can even visit such a farm in Schladen in the Harz Mountains. How many animals live there? According to the farm's website, there are around 1,000 specimens. And how much poison do you get from milking the snakes? It is said that around 25 to 30 poison draws are required to produce one gram of snake venom. After a removal, the animal needs four to six weeks to refill its poison depot.
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