Snakes! Yikes! The very word conjures up thoughts of evil and visions of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Most people find snakes somewhat creepy, but others find them fascinating. Snakes aren't evil or out to get us, but are an integral part of nature. Herpetologists are the snake experts who study both reptiles and amphibians. Both venomous and non-venomous species exist in Louisiana and having an overall healthy respect (or maybe a little fear) is a good idea. Let's take a look at some of their characteristics.
Snakes are considered vertebrates, that is, backboned animals. They are in the class Reptila, Order Squamata, Suborder Serpentes, a group that has been on the earth for 120 million years. This backbone allows for efficient serpentine locomotion. Snakes do not have eyelids, limbs or external ear openings. Snakes breathe with lungs, and they are considered cold-blooded or poikilothermic. This means they must regulate their body temperature by outside sources such as the sun. Getting 80% of their body heat from the sun, we might label reptiles as solar powered. However, if the snake gets too hot or too cold it will die. When the sun gets too hot snakes will go to water to cool down or burrow in moistened leaves or lie under a shady bush. When the temperature remains too cold, such as in winter, snakes go into hibernation, a period of dormancy in which they don't eat for months, thereby conserving calories until the warmer months when they are active again.
Reptiles have scaly skin, making their bodies practically water tight. These scales act like a ziplock bag, locking in moisture and protecting the snakes' internal organs. These scales are made up of keratin, the same protein material that forms our fingernails. Some scales have a rough ridge and are called keeled, while other scales are smooth. The scales on the top of the snake are shaped differently than the ones located on the belly. The belly scales are crosswise and give the snake the ability to crawl.
In order for the snake to grow, or repair a damaged scale it must molt, or shed its skin. This process is called ecdysis. Usually the snake rubs its snout against something rough, like a rock, to loosen the skin. When the skin is loose enough the snake wiggles out and crawls off. Often a complete skin or molt can be found. The ancient Greeks thought this shed skin was a sign that the snake had been reborn, making them a symbol of eternity. Prior to molting the snake's eyes turn cloudy or bluish white and the skin looks dull or sometimes has a whitish cast. A few days to a week later the snake sheds. Right before shedding snakes are vulnerable to predators and have a tendency to hide. They also don't eat during this time.
