Deep in the coal mines of La Guajira, Colombia, students unearthed a skeleton of epic proportions. The gigantic fossils were initially thought to belong to a crocodilian. They were wrong. The fossils were the remnants of a snake—the largest snake to ever inhabit this earth: titanoboa. Estimated to be 42 to 43 feet long, the creature was the length of a school bus. Not only was the snake’s size a new record, it proved useful in helping scientists calculate historic temperatures. Based on the snake’s mass, scientists estimated the mean annual temperature of equatorial South America, where the fossil was found, to be 33 degrees Celsius.
This case is one of many fascinating facts in the world of snakes. For instance, some snakes can reproduce asexually. Researchers at North Carolina State University studied a female boa constrictor that produced offspring both sexually and asexually. The asexually produced offspring were exclusively female and identical to their mother. According to researcher Dr. Warren Booth, asexual reproduction is beneficial because it was akin to “an evolutionary ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ for snakes. If suitable males are absent, why waste those expensive eggs when you have the potential to put out some half-clones of yourself ? Then, when a suitable mate is available, revert back to sexual reproduction.” Fascinatingly, the female boa constrictor reproduced asexually despite the fact that there were suitable males. This suggests there may be alternative reasons for choosing to reproduce asexually.
The spider-tailed horned viper is another fascinating species. As its name suggests, this snake species is known for its unique tail, containing an intriguing form of mimicry. Its tail, shaped like a spider, is used to lure insectivorous birds: the snake lies on a rock outcropping, waving its tail to and fro, mimicking the movement of a live spider. An unlucky bird flying overhead spies the tail, mistaking it for a delicious spider, and swoops in for the kill only to become the meal instead. How exactly the snake evolved such a precise and specialized hunting mechanism is anyone’s guess, but it does well to illustrate the diversity and amazing adaptability of snakes.
Finally, did you know that there are flying snake species? It’s true—the genus of Chrysopelea consists of five snake species known for their ability to glide between trees. These snakes climb to the top of tall trees and leap off. Then, they flare out their ribs in a concave motion similar to the spreading of wings, and simultaneously undulate their body to ‘fly.’ These snakes have been able to glide for as far as 200 meters!
These are only some of the odd pieces of trivia about snakes. They truly are fascinating creatures that should be studied and appreciated. Rather than fearing them, next time you see a snake slithering on the ground, be reminded of the diversity and magnificence that nature bestows upon all its creatures.