Bat Picture

Bat Picture

Amazing Bat Facts

1.A single little brown bat (myotis) can eat up to 1000 mosquitoes in a single hour, and is one of the world's longest-lived mammals for its size, with life spans of almost 40 years.

2.Bats are more closely related to humans and other primates than they are to rodents. Several studies indicate that the Old World fruit bats and flying foxes may actually be descended from early primates such as lemurs.

3.Most bat moms give birth to only a single pup each year, making them very vulnerable to extinction. Bats are the slowest reproducing mammals on earth for their size.

4.Contrary to popular myths, most bats have very good eyesight, have excellent echolocation so they do not become entangled in human hair, and seldom transmit disease to other animals or humans.

5.The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand which weighs about as much as a dime and is critically endangered due to habitat loss.

6.Giant flying foxes (fruit bats) that live in Indonesia have wingspans of nearly six feet.

7.Bats are very clean animals, and groom themselves almost constantly (when not eating or sleeping) to keep their fur soft and clean, like tiny cats.

8. The pallid bat of western North America is totally immune to the stings of the scorpions and centipedes upon which it feeds.

9.The 30 million Mexican free-tailed bats from Bracken Cave in Texas eat 250 TONS of insects every summer night. They sometimes fly up to two miles high to feed or to catch tailwinds that carry them over long distances, and can fly at speeds of more than 60 miles per hour.

10. A single colony of 150 big brown bats can protect local farmers from up to 33 million or more root worms each summer.

11. Hoary bats are the most widely distributed bat in the Americas, ranging from northern Canada all the way down into South America, and there is even an endangered sub-species found out in the Hawaiian Islands.

12.Vampire bats adopt orphans, and are one of the few mammals known to risk their own lives to share food with less fortunate roost-mates.

13. The Honduran white bat is snow white with a yellow nose and ears. It cuts large leaves to make "tents" that protect its small colonies from jungle rains, one of 15 other species known to make tents.

Heavy and Danger Crocodile

14 Amazing Facts About Crocodiles

1.The largest crocodile species is saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), encountered from India to northern Australia and Fiji. In can reach 7 m (23 ft) in length and 1 tonne in weight! At 5 m (17 ft) length, it already has 0.5 tonne. Even so, a crocodile egg is no larger than that of a goose.The smallest crocodile is the dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) from central Africa, which has a maximum length of 1.9 m (6.5 ft). It is more terrestrial than other crocodiles. 

2.To "cry crocodile tears" is a common expression which is used for depicting fake sadness. It has its origins in the myth according to which reptiles weep while eating humans. But, believe it or not, crocodiles really do wipe while feasting, but rather due to physiological reasons than remorse. Their eyes can froth and bubble during the feeding. Air pushed through the sinuses could mix with tears in the animal's lacrimal (tear) glands and the whole content could be emptied into the eye; resulting the "fake" remorse. 

3.Crocodile skin is considered one of the finest and best, being soft and durable. In many tribal societies, skin crocodile is used as a symbol of high status. But only the skin on the belly has these qualities; the back skin is covered in bones (called osteoderms) that reflects arrows, spears and even bullets.

4.Some populations venerated the crocodiles (like the ancient Egyptians). From some tribes in New Guinea, the crocodile is a totem god and those people make themselves crocodile-like body scarring, which is an extremely painful procedure. In the case of Australian Aborigines, some tribes were expert in crocodile hunt, while for others the crocodile hunt was taboo. 

5.Crocodiles display increased aggressiveness during the mating season (linked to the monsoon). 

6.Each crocodile jaw carries 24 sharp teeth meant to grasp and crush, not to chew. That's why they swallow stones that grind the food inside their stomachs (the stomach stones also serve as ballast). The teeth are continuously replaced along the crocodile's life. Crocodiles can exert enormous pressure when closing their jaws, but the force for opening them is so weak, that an adhesive band is enough to keep a large crocodiles' jaw shut up. The powerful jaws can be extremely delicate, working like pencils, when removing offspring from the nest. Still, beware at the tail: it inflicts powerful blows. 

7.Many times crocodiles stay on the river banks mouth wide open. That is not an aggressive posture, but a way to cool off: they sweat through the mouth.

8.The crocodiles have a four-chambered heart like in birds (their closest relatives) and mammals, for an active life. Still, when diving, the heart behaves like a three-chambered reptilian heart, enabling them to stay more underwater. 

9.How can you make the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? If you are not accustomed to their shape, look at the mouth: crocodiles have a clearly visible the fourth tooth on the lower jaw even when the mouth is closed (alligators and caymans have a groove where that tooth fits). Because crocodiles have salt glands inside their mouths they can stand sea water, while alligators cannot. That's why many crocodiles species abound in mangroves and estuaries. Behaviorally, crocodiles are more active and more aggressive than alligators, and also less resistant to cold (alligators are found in subtropical areas, crocodiles not).

10.If you turn on a lantern at night in waters populated by crocodiles, you will see pairs of shiny red dots. These are the crocodiles' eyes which have a layer called tapetum behind their retina, containing crystals that reflect light and make possible the night vision.

11.99% of the crocodile offspring are eaten in the fist year of life by large fish, monitor lizards, herons and ... adult crocodiles. During the first weeks of life, the crocodile offspring eats the food reserves from its viteline sack. The crocodile eggs are appreciated by monitor lizards, hyenas, large storks and even... humans. A female lays 20-80 eggs which are incubated in a nest built from plant materials and defended by her for three months.

12.Crocodiles can live up to 80 years.

Butterflies Natural Beauty 

BASIC FACTS ABOUT BUTTERFLIES

Butterflies (Order: Lepidoptera) are brightly colored flying insects with two pairs of large wings that vary in color and pattern from species to species. Butterfly wings are covered with overlapping rows of tiny scales, a characteristic butterflies share with their fellow lepidopterans, the moths.

Diet

A caterpillar’s first meal is its own eggshell. It then spends most of its time eating the leaves of the plant on which it hatched. An adult butterfly uncoils its long, straw-like proboscis to sip nectar from flowers, juice from rotting fruit and water from puddles.

Population

Exact numbers are not known since there are about 17,500 species of butterflies spread throughout almost the entire world.

Range

Butterflies are found worldwide except on the continent of Antarctica. Many species migrate to avoid adverse conditions. Most migrate relatively short distances, but monarchs and several other species migrate thousands of miles.

Behavior

Life cycle: From egg to adult, butterflies undergo a series of physical transformations known as metamorphosis. After mating, the female butterfly lays her eggs on a caterpillar food or “host” plant. The eggs can hatch within a few days, or within months or even years, depending on whether or not conditions are right.

After hatching, a caterpillar begins to eat the host plant.  The caterpillar sheds its skin several times during this stage. It then seeks a sheltered spot, suspends itself by silken threads and sheds one last time to reveal skin that will harden to form the chrysalis or pupa. Days, months or even years later, depending on the species, a fully developed winged adult emerges from the chrysalis and the cycle begins anew.

Defense Mechanisms: Many butterflies have developed interesting ways of defending themselves from predators. One method is disguise, or “cryptic coloration”, where the butterfly has the ability to look like a leaf or blend into the bark of a tree to hide from predators.  Another method is chemical defense, where the butterfly has evolved to have toxic chemicals in its body. These species of butterfly are often brightly colored, and predators have learned over time to associate their bright color with the bad taste of the chemicals.

Threats

The greatest threats to butterflies are habitat change and loss due to residential, commercial and agricultural development. Climate change is also threatening species of butterfly. The Edith’s checker spot butterfly, which ranges from Baja to Canada along the West Coast, has been moving northward and up slope. But for two subspecies – the Bay and Quino— their progress is blocked by the vast urban landscapes of San Francisco and San Diego, respectively. Both subspecies are now critically imperiled.

Beautiful Rabbit Wallpapers 

Facts about Rabbits

1.Rabbits have an excellent sense of smell, hearing and vision. They have nearly 360° panoramic vision, allowing them to detect predators from all directions. They can see everything behind them and only have a small blind-spot in front of their nose.

2.Rabbits have extremely strong hind limbs which allow them to leap great distances. They can jump up to one meter high and three meters long.

3.Rabbits are territorial animals which live in loosely organised social groups. They live in warrens comprising of an intricate series of underground tunnels with different entrances and exits.

4.When rabbits ‘binky’, this is an expression of joy. They will run, jump into the air, twist their body and flick their feet.

5.Rabbits are affectionate social animals that enjoy the company of other rabbits. They will perform allogrooming where two individuals will simultaneously groom each other.

6.Although typically very quiet, rabbits do communicate vocally, with varying types of vocalisations communicating different messages, e.g. low humming when running around an individual is a signal of affection.

7.Rabbits stand upright on their hind legs to give themselves a better vantage point to look for predators. They alert other rabbits to the presence of danger by thumping their hind legs.

8.For the last 60 years rabbits have been increasingly commonly kept as pets in the UK and other countries. In the last ten years there has been an especially big increase in the UK making them the nation's third most popular furry pet. In 2010 about 1 million rabbits were kept as pets. However, before taking on the commitment of caring for a rabbit as a pet consideration should be given to whether its physical and emotional needs can be met. Properly caring for an animal as a pet can have significant time and cost implications. For example caring for a rabbit is likely to cost more than £3,000 over the course of its lifetime.

9.People often think rabbits are very easy to look after and that all they need to do is pop them in a hutch in the garden and feed and clean them when needed. However, this is actually very far from the truth. Nowadays, we have a far greater understanding of rabbits and there are a few things we need to recognize in order to keep them happy. Rabbits expressing aggressive behavior toward people and other pets often indicates they are in distress and suffering emotionally. There are many ways to improve the lives of rabbits kept as pets.

10.Rabbits need an appropriate diet. Fiber, in the form of hay and grass, is the most vital food for rabbits – it’s essential for their digestive health, and they can die without it. Whilst a small daily amount of green veg is good, a diet based solely on vegetables, fruit and carrots does not provide all the nutrients that rabbits need, leaving them malnourished.

11.Just like humans, rabbits become bored if their environments remain the same, so can benefit from variety and occasional change of scenery. However, too much change can have adverse effects. A wild rabbit’s survival depends on an intimate knowledge of its surroundings in order to escape from predators, so structural changes to the “warren” of a rabbit kept as a pet should be kept subtle, such as changing their toys and regularly providing new ones

12.It’s incredibly beneficial for rabbits kept as pets to start interacting with people, other rabbits and also other pets such as cats and dogs from an early age. Familiarity with other species will help rabbits develop into friendly and confident adults. Exposing them to normal everyday sights and sounds is also important, so they’re relaxed and happy in their environments.

Monkey HD Wallpapers

Facts about monkeys

1.The first monkey to fly to space was Albert II. He flew 83 miles in space on June 14, 1949, in the V-2, a rocket launched by the United States.

2.Monkey and gorillas are part of the primate family.

3.Do not make direct eye contact with Monkey for more than 4 seconds.

4.Monkeys have an IQ of 174 .

5.Monkeys have no patience.

6.Monkeys can and will exhibit outbursts of sudden and deadly rage if provoked.

7.There are about 125 species of monkeys.

8.Hawks, people and eagles are predators of monkeys.

9.Their tails can be as long as 3 feet. They have opposable thumbs.

10.Monkeys can weigh up to 100 pounds or 45 kgs.

Asian Fox

The White Fox

Asian Fox

Fascinating Facts About Foxes

1.Foxes are members of the dog family. A female fox is called a “vixen”, a male fox is called a “dog fox” or a “tod” and baby foxes are called “pups”, “kits” or “cubs”. A group of foxes is called a “skulk” or a “leash”.

2.Foxes are the only type of dog capable of retracting their claws like cats do. Foxes also have vertical pupils that look more like those of cats than the rounded pupils that other dogs have.

3.There are many different types of foxes, and they are the most widespread species of wild dog in the world. Foxes live just about everywhere – in the countryside, cities, forests, mountains and grasslands. Arctic foxes live in cold climates far north, and fennec foxes live in the North African desert.

4.When fox pups are born, they are unable to see, hear or walk, and their mother must take good care of them. When the pups are young, their father hunts and brings food back for the family.

5.Sadly, some cruel people continue to hunt foxes and ridiculously call it a “sport”. In 2004, a law was enacted in England and Wales to ban hunting foxes with dogs, an activity in which hunters would ride on horses following a number of dogs who would pursue the exhausted fox before ripping the animal apart. However, hunters can still hunt and kill foxes by other means. Fox hunting with dogs is still legal in many other places, such as Ireland, North America and Australia.

6.Foxes eat just about anything, including berries, worms, spiders and small animals such as mice and birds. If they live in the city, they eat rubbish that people leave out. If they have extra food, they hide it in a small hole and eat it later when they are hungry.

7.Foxes have beautiful fur, and as a result, the heartless fur industry both breeds captive foxes and traps foxes in the wild. Eighty-five percent of the fur industry’s skins come from animals living in captivity on fur factory farms. At these farms, animals are kept in small cages and are unable to take more than a few steps back and forth. Because fur farmers care only about preserving the quality of the fur, they use slaughter methods such as anal electrocution that keep the fur intact but result in extreme suffering for the animals.

8.Grey foxes who live in North America are the only type of dogs who can climb trees.

9.A fox’s home is called a “den”. It can be a hole in the ground or elsewhere, such as under a garden shed. Hunters often try to scare foxes out of their dens by sending in dogs so that the hunter can then shoot the foxes. Sometimes the foxes remain in the den and are injured or killed by the dogs.

10.Foxes show great caring, adaptability and intelligence when raising their young. The Daily Mail reported in May 2009 that a baby fox cub was caught in a snare for two weeks before being rescued by the RSPCA. He was unable to escape and was badly injured. He survived only because his mother brought him food while he was trapped.

Dinosaurs hd Wallpapers and Facts 

Dinosaurs 

1. Dinosaurs were reptiles that lived on Earth from about 230 million years ago to about 65 million years ago.
2. Dinosaurs lived during a period of Earth’s history called the Mesozoic (“middle life”) Era. They lived during all three periods of this era: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.
3. Meat-eating dinosaurs are known as theropods, which means “beast-footed,” because they had sharp, hooked claws on their toes. In contrast, plant-eating dinosaurs tended to have blunt hooves or toenails.
4. dinosaur facts Over 500 dinosaur genera have been scientifically accepted No one knows exactly how long a dinosaur’s lifespan was. Some scientists speculate some dinosaurs lived for as long as 200 years.
5. Dinosaur skulls had large holes or “windows” that made their skulls lighter. Some of the largest skulls were as long as a car.
6. Scientists estimate that there were over 1,000 different species of non-avian dinosaurs and over 500 distinct genera. They speculate there are many still undiscovered dinosaurs and that there may be as many as 1,850 genera.
7. Dinosaurs lived on all the continents, including Antarctica.
8. Colorado’s nickname is the Stegosaurus State. The first ever Stegosaurus skeleton was found near Morrison, Colorado.
9. Though mosasaurs, ichthyosaurs, pterosaurs, plesiosaurs, and Dimetrodon are commonly believed to be dinosaurs, they are not technically dinosaurs. The term “dinosaur” refers to just land-dwelling reptiles that have a specific hip structure, among other traits.
10. While many people think dinosaurs were massive, dinosaurs were usually human sized or smaller. Scientists believe that the larger bones were just easier to be fossilized.
11. Some dinosaurs’ tails were over 45 feet long. Most dinosaurs had long tails that helped them to keep their balance when running.
12. The word “dinosaur” was coined by British paleontologist Richard Owen in 1842. It is Greek, meaning “terrible lizard.” Rather than implying that dinosaurs were fearsome, Owen used the term to refer to their majesty and size.
13. All dinosaurs laid eggs. About 40 kinds of dinosaur eggs have been discovered.
14. The first dinosaurs that appeared during the Triassic Period 230 million years ago were small and lightweight. Bigger dinosaurs such as Brachiosaurus and Triceratops appeared during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
15. The earliest named dinosaur found so far is the Eoraptor (“dawn stealer”). It was so named because it lived at the dawn of the Dinosaur Age. It was a meat eater about the size of a German shepherd. The first Eoraptor skeleton was discovered in Argentina in 1991. However, another dinosaur has recently been found in Madagascar that dates as being 230 million years old. It has not been named yet.

Beautiful Picture of Fish

30 Interesting Facts About Fish

1. Most fish reproduce by laying eggs, though some fish, such as great white sharks, give birth to live babies called pups.
2. Starfish are not fish. Neither are jellyfish.
3. Although the fangtooth fish is only a few inches long, it has teeth about the size of a human’s.
4. The mudskipper is a fish that spends most of its time out of water and can “walk” on its fins. It carries a portable water supply in its gill chambers when it leaves the water. It can also breathe through the pores of its wet skin.
5. Catfish have over 27,000 taste buds. Humans have around 7,000.
6. lipstick fish scales To achieve shimmering effects, most lipsticks contain fish scales.
7. Lungfish can live out of water for several years. It secretes a mucus cocoon and burrows itself under the unbaked earth. It takes in air with its lung through a built-in breathing tube that leads to the surface. A lungfish has both gills and a lung.
8. Seahorses are the only fish that swim upright.
9. Some fish, such as the great white shark, can raise their body temperature. This helps them hunt for prey in cold water.
10. The oldest known age for a fish was an Australian lungfish. In 2003, it was still alive and well at 65 years old.
11. Fish use a variety of low-pitched sounds to convey messages to each other. They moan, grunt, croak, boom, hiss, whistle, creak, shriek, and wail. They rattle their bones and gnash their teeth. However, fish do not have vocal chords. They use other parts of their bodies to make noises, such as vibrating muscles against their swim bladder.
12. Fish can form schools containing millions of fish. They use their eyes and something called a lateral line to hold their places in the school. The lateral line is a row of pores running along the fish’s sides from head to tail. Special hairs in the pores sense changes in water pressure from the movements of other fish or predators.
13. Since a fish’s jaw is not attached to its skull, many fishes can shoot their mouths forward like a spring to catch startled prey.
14. Electric eels and electric rays have enough electricity to kill a horse.
15. Sharks are the only fish that have eyelids.
16. Fish have sleep-like periods where they have lowered response to stimuli, slowed physical activity, and reduced metabolism but they do not share the same changes in brain waves as humans do when they sleep.
17. Some fish, such as the herbivorous fish (grazers), often lack jaw teeth but have tooth-like grinding mills in their throats called pharyngeal teeth.
18. Most fish have taste buds all over their body.
19. An estimated one third of male fish in British waters are changing sex due to pollution in human sewage.
20. Saltwater fish need to drink more water than freshwater fish. Since seawater is saltier than the liquids in a fish’s body, water inside the fish is constantly flowing out. If they didn’t drink to replace the lost water, saltwater fish would dry up like prunes.
21. The oldest fishhook ever found dates back to about 42,000 years ago.
22. Most fish have little salt in them. Sharks, however, have meat as salty as the ocean they live in.
23. Most fish can see in color and use colors to camouflage themselves or defend themselves and their territory. Most fish have the best possible eyesight for their habitat and can most certainly see you peering at them in a fish tank. Some fish can see polarized and ultraviolet light.
24.  A fish's age can be determined by growth rings in its scales.
25. A fish does not add new scales as it grows, but the scales it has increase in size. In this way, growth rings are formed and the rings reveal the age of a fish.
26. Fish that have thin fins with a split tail indicate that they move very quickly or may need them to cover great distances. On the other had, fish that live among rocks and reefs near the ocean floor have broad lateral fin and large tails.
27. A ship has a heavy keel in the lower part to keep it from capsizing. Fish, on the other hand, have the keel on top. If the paired fins stop functioning to keep the fish balanced, the fish turns over because its heaviest part tends to sink, which happens when it dies.
28. On average, flying fish can glide 160 feet (50m), but have been known to glide as far as 660 feet (200 m). And they can reach heights up to 19 feet (6m).
29. An inflated porcupine fish can reach a diameter of up to 35 inches (90 cm). It puffs up by swallowing water and then storing it in its stomach. The stomach increases in size with more water. If the fish is taken out of water, it can inflate in a similar way by swallowing air.
30. A fish can drown in water. Like humans, fish need oxygen, so if there is n’t enough oxygen in the water, they will suffocate.

Duck Wallpapers

Duck Wallpapers

                                                 Ducks

Ducks are medium sized aquatic birds related to other aquatic birds like swans and geese. Ducks differ from swans and geese in their tendency to dive into the water in order catch their food.
Ducks are omnivorous animals feeding on aquatic plants, small fish, insects and grubs both in and out of water meaning that ducks can easily adapt to different conditions. It is because of the duck's ability to eat such a diverse amount of food both in water and on dry land that makes ducks one of the most widespread birds in the world as they are found on every continent, with the obvious exception of Antarctica.

A duck's mouth contains rows of tiny plates that line their teeth, to help them filter water out of their beaks without losing food. The duck's advanced water filtering system is similar to the way in which a blue whale feeds in the ocean.

Contrary to popular belief, not all ducks actually quack! It is generally known that it is only really the females of most duck species that actually make a quacking sound. All ducks actually have a wide range of calls that they use to communicated with one another including whistles and grunts!

Ducks are particularly vulnerable animals and therefore ducks have many predators around the world. Predators of ducks range from smaller animals such as foxes, wolves and even large fish, to bigger animals including crocodiles and humans.

Ducks are farmed all over the world for their meat and eggs. Ducks are also farmed on mass for their feathers (known as down) which is most commonly used in bedding, such as duvets and pillows. Domestic duck populations are thought to be at their highest in Asia particularly in China which has the largest market for duck in the world. Many different species of duck are consumed around the world, with the meat of the duck being particularly favourable to humans due to it's rich taste.

Ducks are also hunted regularly by shooters as ducks are seen to be an easy target. The calm and quiet nature of the duck means that it often takes a long time to react to surrounding noise.

As with other commercially farmed birds such as chickens, ducks are often intensively farmed and are subjected to terrible conditions. Consumers of duck meat and eggs should only purchase products that are organic or free range, and should try to avoid buying bedding that is made from duck down (feathers).

Ducks have adapted well to life on the water and along with their special water filtering system in their mouths, ducks also have webbed feet which allows them to travel on the surface of the water with ease. The webbed feet of the duck also make it easier for the duck to walk on the slippery river banks.

Duck Foot Facts

Ducks have webbed feet which allows them to paddle and swim in the water more smoothly.
When ducks swim, they push out their feet back in a kicking motion so that the webbing catches the water and pushing it behind the duck.
On the return stroke, the webbing on the foot of the duck closes up which allows the duck to have less water resistance and to travel faster.
Ducks have a have complex structure of capillaries on their feet which help to regulate the blood flow and stops their feet from getting cold.
The webbed feet of the duck means that the duck cannot walk smoothly on land and instead move around in a waddling motion.
Duck Teeth Facts

Like other species of bird, ducks do not have teeth but instead uses their beaks to catch their food.
Ducks have rows of thin bristles in their mouths that enable them to filer nutrient particles out of the water.
Ducks use their strong beaks to catch their food and then swallow them whole, using their gizzard to help to digest their food.
The beak of a duck is comprised of an upper and lower jaw that are strong as they are made out of bone.
The duck uses its beak both to feed, and to groom itself as the duck picks the dirt out of its feathers.

1. Male ducks are called drakes, female ducks are called hens and babies are called ducklings.

2. Geese and swans are relatives of the duck.

3. Ducks have three eyelids.

4. A ducks feathers are waterproof.

5. When ducks quack they have no echo.

6. Some ducks can fly about 332 miles a day.

7. A ducks life span is 2-12 years, this depends on the species.

8. Ducks have webbed feet, which act like paddles.

9. Ducks never have cold feet since they do not have nerves or blood vessels in their feet.

10. Ducks line their nests with feathers they pluck from their chest.

Read more at http://www.infobarrel.com/Interesting_Facts_about_Ducks#oCF3GyYhbpJhX7sw.99

Snake HD Wallpapers 

Snake HD Wallpapers 

Snakes

There are around 3000 snake species in the world, and about 375 of these are venomous. From enormous ones like the python, which can swallow animals as large as a deer whole, to snakes that are just a few inches long, snakes can be found in all types of habitats. While some climb trees, others live underground, and still others are found in waters of lakes and even seas. Given below are some more fascinating facts about snakes.

Snakes occur in a large variety of colors, ranging from dull to brilliant hues with striking patterns. Snakes that have dull coloring use it for camouflage, while those that are brightly colored are usually poisonous. They use their bright colors to warn predators to stay off. Some non-poisonous snakes mimic the patterns and bright colors of poisonous snakes to fool predators.

As for the size, while the anaconda can grow up to 38 feet in length, the brahminy blind snake is just 2 inches long, making it the smallest snake.

Snakes occur practically all over the world, apart from places like Greenland, Iceland, and Antarctica. However, it is in the tropical regions of the world where most snakes are found.

Like all reptiles, snakes are cold-blooded, which means they do not have the ability of generating adequate amounts of heat in order to keep their body temperature at a constant level. Instead, they are dependent on heat from their surroundings and the sun to control the temperature of their body. This is the reason most snake species are found in humid and warm climes of tropical regions.

Snakes are reptiles with an elongated body that is flexible and limbless. A snake's body frame is dependent on the habitat they live in. For example, snakes that burrow underground have a tendency of being more compact, whereas the types that live in trees tend to be slender and long equipped with a prehensile tail which they use to grasp branches, while the body of aquatic snakes is generally flattened.

Snakes do not have any eyelids; instead, a transparent scale protects their eyes. Also, they are deaf to airborne sounds, and they 'hear' by picking up vibrations through their jawbones. The part of body in direct contact with the ground, have incredible sensitive stereo hearing, which enables a snake to sense and detect the position of prey.

Snakes use their forked tongue to smell. The tongue gathers particles that are airborne which it then passes to the Jacobson's Organ, a specialized organ located on the roof of the snake's mouth, that gives a directional sense of smell and taste simultaneously. Therefore, to determine the presence of prey or predators in the local environment, the snakes keep their tongue constantly in motion.

A venomous snake usually has a broader head that bulges out behind its eyes where it stores its venom.

All snakes are purely carnivorous. As they cannot bite or chew their food to pieces, they have to swallow the prey. Snakes have more than 230 teeth, which are pointed backwards; they use these teeth to bite and grip their prey securely.

Snakes have a unique ability of swallowing prey three times larger than their mouth. They can do this because of the special tendons located in their mouth, which are highly stretchable and because the two halves of their jaws are not attached to each other rigidly.

Snakes have the ability of surviving without food for many days at a stretch after having a filling meal. This is because they have a slow rate of metabolism. In fact, the King Cobra, for example, can go for months without food.

The snake's heart is able to move around its body. This adjustment protects the heart when a large prey passes through the esophagus.

A snake becomes dormant after eating, while digestion takes place. Digestion in snakes is an intense activity, therefore if disturbed during the course, snake tends to vomit its prey to be able to escape the sensed threat. If undisturbed the snake's digestive enzymes dissolve and absorb everything but the prey's hair and claws, which are eliminated through its excreta.

In some countries snake is also thought of as food. Snake soup is considered good, to warm up the consumer's body during cold weather. Snake's blood is usually mixed with liquor to improve its taste in most parts of the world.

Another interesting fact about snakes is that they need to shed their skin regularly while they grow, a process known as molting. Snakes shed their skin by rubbing their head against something rough and hard, like a piece of wood or a rock. This causes the skin, which is already stretched, to split open. The snake keeps on rubbing its skin on various rough objects, resulting in the skin peeling off from its head, enabling it to crawl out, turning the skin inside out. Older snakes may shed only twice a year, however the younger snake, may shed up to 4 times in a year.

Snakes usually mate in colder climates. The interesting thing here is, male snakes try to attract attention of a female snake by fighting with other male snakes who also want the same female snake. Here, they do not intend to kill each other, only try to win the fight. Females give birth to baby snakes in about 2 months, however they abandon the eggs shortly after laying them. Some snakes retain the eggs within their bodies until they are ready to hatch. These babies are born covered with a thin membrane. The baby uses an egg tooth to rip off the membrane and crawl free.

In some parts of the world, snake charming is a roadside show performed by a charmer who seemingly charms the snake by playing tunes from his flute-like instrument, to which the snake sways. However, the truth is the snake lacks external ears and responds to the movement of flute, not the noise.

1. According to ancient Chinese wisdom, a snake in the house is a good omen because it means your family will not starve.

2. In March 2006, a Malaysian set a world record by kissing a venomous snake 51 times in three minutes.

3. In 2008, a man in Connecticut was arrested for ordering his pet python to attack two policemen.

4. The island of Komodo, Indonesia, contains more poisonous snakes per square metre than any equivalent area on Earth.

5. The mortality rate if bitten by a Black Mamba snake is over 95 per cent.

6. Snake Alley in Burlington, Iowa, is reputed to be the most crooked road in the world.

7. Since 1980, 45 people have died of snakebite in Australia.

8. In 2008, a snake in Australia that swallowed four golf balls thinking they were chicken eggs was saved by emergency surgery.

9. The longest pet in the UK is thought to be a 17ft albino python living in a house in Cambridgeshire. 10. Rattlesnakes cause about 82 per cent of all snakebite deaths in North America. Rattlesnake is said to taste like chicken, only tough