How Many Snakes Are In The World?

Snakes are famous for evoking feelings of revulsion and fear in humans. However, in some cultures, snakes are revered as symbols of healing and fertility. Whatever view you take of these reptiles, it’s a fact that we must share our world with them. Find out how many snakes are in the world, whether or not they are deaf, and which ones you should watch out for!

What is a Snake?

Snakes are legless, elongated reptiles that belong to the suborder Serpentes. They are ectothermic (or cold-blooded), meaning they rely on their surroundings to regulate their body temperatures. Their skin is covered in scales. They shed this skin periodically.

Many people think snakes are blind and deaf, but this is not true. Although snakes lack eyelids and their vision is poor, they are technically able to see. They compensate for their poor vision by flicking out their tongues. This allows them to draw in scents from the air to be sampled by a special organ in their mouths.

Similarly, although snakes live without external ears or eardrums, they can still interpret many sounds based on their sound waves. Vibrations from these waves travel through the ground and air. Snakes use their skin, muscles, and tiny bones connected to their jaws to transmit these sounds to their brain.

Strangely, not all legless reptiles are snakes as some are actually lizards. There are 17 species of legless lizards in the world, including the Cape snake lizard and the California legless lizard.

Snake Diet and Predators

Snakes are strictly carnivorous, never consuming plant material. They rely on calorie-dense food to survive since they only eat once every few weeks. Depending on their species, they eat insects, eggs, small rodents, birds, fish, bats, lizards, worms, and other snakes.

Snakes may be fearsome, but they aren’t invulnerable. Their predators include mongooses, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, wild boars, snapping turtles, large birds of prey, and other snakes.

How Many Snakes Are in the World?

There are over 4,000 snake species in the world. Of these, about 600 are venomous. Only about 200 species of venomous snakes are capable of harming or killing human beings. Given this, fatal snake bites are less common than people think.

It’s impossible to know the exact number of individual snakes in the world, given their reclusive habits. However, individual species estimates are sometimes possible. For example, scientists estimate that there may be as many as one million common garter snakes in the wild.

Which Country Has the Most Snakes?

Brazil has more snake species than any other country in the world. There are over 375 species living in this country, some harmless and some dangerous. Brazil is home to 60% of the South American rainforest, which is a fertile breeding ground for these reptiles.

Perhaps the most famous Brazilian species are the constrictors, non-venomous snakes that kill by crushing their prey. The most fearsome of these is the anaconda, a massive snake that can swallow a human whole. Other examples of constrictors include the boa constrictor and the emerald tree boa. Brazil is also home to venomous snakes, including the fer-de-lance and coral snakes.

Snakes are found in many different habitats throughout the world. Most are landbound, but others, like the yellow-bellied sea snake, live in bodies of water. Besides rainforests, snakes live in deserts, grasslands, swamps, and urban environments.

Places in the World Without Snakes

Several places in the world exist without snakes. Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, New Zealand, and Antarctica are all snake-free. This list also includes some small Pacific islands like Kiribati.

New Zealand’s snake-free status rightfully raises eyebrows. Why should this small country be devoid of snakes when its neighbor, Australia, is crawling with them? The answer appears to be its constantly changing conditions. New Zealand has undergone many land shifts over the past few millions of years, making its climate unpredictable. For animals that rely on their surroundings for temperature regulation, these are unworkable conditions.

However, sea snakes visit the island from time to time. The yellow-bellied sea snake and the yellow-lipped sea krait occasionally brave the chilly waters around New Zealand.

Are Snakes Endangered?

Most snakes are not endangered. However, a few species have made the list. Saint Lucia racers, otherwise known as ornate ground snakes, are widely regarded as the most endangered species of snake in the world. Fewer than 20 individuals remain on earth today. Pfeffer’s reed snakes also face the threat of extinction and are extremely rare.

Snakes face extinction due to several factors. Habitat loss is the most serious. Many species of snakes have lost up to 90% of their habitat. They also face disease, pollution, and the threat of invasive species. In addition to this, humans sometimes try to exterminate populations of snakes that they perceive to be a threat.

However, snakes are vital members of their ecosystems. They provide prey for other animals as well as keep other populations in check. Moreover, they make excellent pest control agents, as they frequently feed on rodents and insects.

Snakes are a necessary, sometimes deadly, and often beautiful presence in the natural world. Despite our very human fears, their loss would have serious consequences.