02/01/2023
February 1st is National Serpent Day. Serpents mean many things to many people across cultures. Whether they are revered, or feared, snakes often inspire strong feelings.
There are more than three thousand identified species of snakes in the world. Of these, about six hundred species are venomous, and only about two hundred species – roughly seven percent – are considered medically significant to humans. The overwhelming majority of snake species are harmless to humans.
Snakes inhabit most parts of our planet, except for Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand. North America is home to about one hundred and fifty snake species, and again, most of these are harmless to humans.
Among reptile keepers, snakes are often favored. Many species have an ease of care and calm demeanor making them ideal pets. Some species are bred for variations in color and pattern that make them very visually enticing. What are your favorite snakes?
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Learn more about the United States Association of Reptile Keepers at www.USARK.org
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The photograph used in this post is used with the photographer's permission and shows a pet Duméril’s boa (Acrantophis dumerili) flicking her tongue to smell the air.