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9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes - Education - Nairaland

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9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by hotspec(m): 1:07pm On Sep 14, 2017
Let me start by saying that I dedicate this thread to one of the Mods for his irresistible passion for snakes, if that was true.

Scaly and scary
Snakes haunt our dreams and inhabit our mythology. They appear almost everywhere. Our fascination is no doubt fueled by the danger snakes pose, but it may also stem from the legless reptiles' improbable form. Evolution has gifted snakes with a variety of odd but clever body designs and adaptations. Below are 9 of the world's most bizarre snakes.


1. Langaha madagascariensis
This bizarre-looking snake, also known as the Malagasy leaf-nosed snake, is an arboreal species endemic to Madagascar. Their strange nasal appendage (pointy in the male, leaf-shaped in the female) may help them blend in with vines and branches or sight their prey, which they ambush. No one knows for sure. They are poisonous but not aggressive. Their bites are extremely painful but not life-threatening.


2. Flying snake
It sounds weird right? A flying snake! But these airborne serpents are real. (Don't believe it? Check out a video of it online.) They glide for stunning distances through the air (without actually flying) by leaping from tree branches. While airborne, they flare their ribs and suck in their abdomens to make themselves wider and more concave for better aerodynamics.



3. Desert horned viper
These snakes, which hail from Northern Africa and the Middle East, could be the reason the devil is often depicted with horns. The serpents' horns, which are modified scales, are retractable, allowing the snakes to burrow easily. Scientists aren't sure of the purpose of the horns, but they may help prevent the buildup of sand around the eyes.



4. Tentacled snake
This aquatic snake, a native of Southeast Asia, is the only species in the world to possess twin "tentacles" on its snout. Scientists speculate that the snake uses the tentacles as lures to attract tiny fish, its favorite prey, but they may also function as sensory organs that help them detect movement.

Source: https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/9-of-the-worlds-most-bizarre-snakes/scaly-and-scary#top-mobile

Lalasticlala

Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by hotspec(m): 1:10pm On Sep 14, 2017
5. Barbados threadsnake
Endemic to the Caribbean island of Barbados, this threadsnake is the smallest snake species in the world, only 4 inches long and about as wide as a spaghetti noodle. You'd be forgiven for mistaking it for a tiny worm or grub crawling through the grass or under a rock. The snake's diet consists of termites and ant larvae.



6. Iridescent shieldtail
This species, found in the mountains of India, might be the world's most colorful serpent. It may also be one of the world's least known snakes, as only three specimens have been identified. Its iridescent back and belly are separated by a brilliant yellow stripe.




7. Iwasaki's snail-eater
You can probably guess what this snake eats, but it is an even more specialized hunter than its name implies. Not only does it eat only snails, but due to its highly unusual asymmetric jaws, it is efficient only at feeding on snails with dextral (clockwise-coiled) shells. The extreme adaptation has its limits, though. Scientists believe that snails are beginning to evolve counter-clockwise-coiled shells to protect themselves.


8. Eastern hognose snake
Other than its upturned snout, which is used for digging in sandy soil, this snake doesn't appear too strange — until threatened. Then it becomes the world's biggest drama queen. Capable of flattening its neck to resemble a cobra, it will strike, but the strikes are pure bluffs; it doesn't bite, it merely "head butts." If this strategy doesn't work to fend off threats, the snake rolls on its back and plays dead, going so far as to emit a foul musk and letting its tongue hang out of its mouth.

Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by hotspec(m): 1:17pm On Sep 14, 2017
Finally,

9. Spider-tailed viper
This viper has one of the most unusual tail adaptations in the snake world. The tail appendage, which at first might look like a deformity, is designed to look like a spider. Its purpose isn't to make the snake seem extra terrifying (a spider and a snake, yikes!), but rather, to act as a lure. When the viper rattles it, arachnid-eating prey are attracted and drawn into striking range.

Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by jessejunior(m): 1:18pm On Sep 14, 2017
ooooooh LaLa


these ones are strange tho
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by sammoe(m): 2:07pm On Sep 14, 2017
Even Uncle Lala will not eat these. As pets? Maybe...
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by Aminu212: 3:29pm On Sep 14, 2017
Unfortunately, lalasticlala does not eat raw snake.

please try again later.

2 Likes

Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by yunglivochi(m): 4:26pm On Sep 14, 2017
Educative
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by dkronicle(m): 6:12pm On Sep 14, 2017
I will still run when i see
8. Eastern hognose snake
Other than its upturned snout, which is used for digging in sandy soil, this snake doesn't appear too strange — until threatened. Then it becomes the world's biggest drama queen. Capable of flattening its neck to resemble a cobra, it will strike, but the strikes are pure bluffs; it doesn't bite, it merely "head butts." If this strategy doesn't work to fend off threats, the snake rolls on its back and plays dead, going so far as to emit a foul musk and letting its tongue hang out of its mouth.
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by Goldeno(m): 6:52pm On Sep 14, 2017
hmm ok
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by Truepee(m): 7:13pm On Sep 14, 2017
Okay...Nnmadi KanU is Not Yet Dead...If HeDies Who'll PM Me
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by Edopesin: 7:52pm On Sep 14, 2017
Lalasticlala
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by Outofsync(m): 7:54pm On Sep 14, 2017
Where is lalasticus cleavageniensis
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by GlorifiedTunde(m): 8:33pm On Sep 14, 2017
If snakes are crippy and Lala loves snakes dearly, that means Lala is a ... somebody undecided undecided
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by yaqq: 9:46pm On Sep 14, 2017
These re not naija breed! but if eventually the snake patron see this then it's sure gonna grace Fp so for the main time let's observe Mr L
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by DeKen: 12:09am On Sep 15, 2017
God is awesome.
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by MrHighSea: 2:15am On Sep 15, 2017
Kill em all
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by ChemicalMallam(m): 4:58am On Sep 15, 2017
let me invest here should in case
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by WhoBeThisMan: 5:02am On Sep 15, 2017
Lalasticlala, surprise me and don't push this to front page


grin I know you can't resist it
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by ProfGday(m): 9:44am On Sep 15, 2017
When one of these snake kiss u......Just accept my sinparty...

Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by BunbleBee: 10:40am On Sep 15, 2017
oh no lala, these snakes are big now

Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by Nobody: 11:20am On Sep 15, 2017
Evolution.
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by LodiDodi(m): 2:18pm On Sep 15, 2017
dkronicle:
I will still run when i see
8. Eastern hognose snake
Other than its upturned snout, which is used for digging in sandy soil, this snake doesn't appear too strange — until threatened. Then it becomes the world's biggest drama queen. Capable of flattening its neck to resemble a cobra, it will strike, but the strikes are pure bluffs; it doesn't bite, it merely "head butts." If this strategy doesn't work to fend off threats, the snake rolls on its back and plays dead, going so far as to emit a foul musk and letting its tongue hang out of its mouth.

So much drama for one snake!
Re: 9 Of The World's Most Bizarre Snakes by darnley16(m): 8:04am On Sep 16, 2017
LodiDodi:

So much drama for one snake!
yeah , shows its length for survival

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