Posted by:
DMong
at Thu Mar 20 00:00:13 2008 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by DMong ]
*1 Many species of snakes have two tiny dots(holes) at the tips of each scale known as apical pits. Scientists think that millions of years ago,these follicles might have contained tiny sensory "hairlike" structures that might have been used as an aid in their environment.
*2 Snakes slide their tongues over an organ at the roof of theit mouths called a Jacobson's Organ, this organ works sort of like a miniature "computer", and essentially "tastes" the chemical particles in the air, which in turn tells the brain how to react to any given situation. Snakes would die without their tongues, as it is the ONLY way they can tell if something is food, or if it is something to be afraid of and flee. Their eyesight is only good for seeing movement, and NOT stationary objects. If you stay perfectly motionless, snakes don't really even know you're there.
*3 Snakes can't close their eyes ,and go to sleep like people. Their eyes are covered by a lens-like structure called an ocular scale, this, as well as all the other scales, are made up of the same material as our nails and hair. This lens acts as sort of a "dive mask", and greatly protects the snake's eyes from dirt, and other things.
*4 Snakes NEVER stop growing, they just grow at a much slower rate after reaching adulthood until they die of old age.
*5 A large Python has gone two(2) years in captivity with NO FOOD whatsoever, just water. Although very underweight, one day decided to go ahead and start eating voluntarily once again.
*6 A baby rattlesnake is born alive, not hatched, with a small "button" that is it's only rattle. Every time it sheds it's skin, a new segment is added to the rattle. It is just a "wivestale" that states that there is a segment on the rattle for every year. These segments can, and do break off from time to time for many reasons, and it is NOT an age indicator at all.
just to name a few things for the kids!,...good luck, and have fun with them!
best regards ~Doug
 ----- "Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"
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