Snakes

That was the beginning of snakes, as we know them today. .
             Since lizards and snakes are closely related and share some characteristics, they are usually classifies together in the order Squamata. Though they have some similarities, it is very easy to distinguish most modern snakes from lizards. Snakes have no limbs, hip or shoulder girdles, while in lizards these are all present. In snakes, the skull forms a box around the brain to prevent damage while feeding, while reptiles have an open fronted braincase. There are also some obvious differences in their sense organs. Snakes do not have eyelids. Instead have a transparent round spectacle, which is like a shield that covers the exposed part of the eye. They also do not have an external ear. .
             There are over 2000 known species of snakes. They fit into ten families. The Typhlopidae are a family of small snakes known as the blind snakes. They are found in most warm parts of the world. They are all burrowers and look like worms. They are harmless and lay eggs. The Boidae family includes the largest among living snakes and the ones we frequently see in movies such as the boas and pythons. They all kill by constriction. Pythons are different than boas in that they have an extra pair of bones. They also lay eggs rather than producing live young. One species of boas that must be mentioned are the green anacondas. They have been known to grow to 35 feet and their width can be as wide as 25 inches. They live mostly in the water. Reports of human eating anacondas are usually overblown, though they have the ability to kill humans. The Colubridae include almost three quarters of all the snake species in the world and include most of the snakes Americans commonly encounter such as the corn snake, the garter snake, the king snake, and the milk snake. They also include the many harmless water snakes found in our lakes but not to be confused with the venomous coral snakes.