The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra sets another record in terms of size: it can get to nearly twenty feet long, which makes it the largest venomous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new cobra species was made in 2003, when a specimen was identified at a London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

DNA studies revealed that this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but has different genes. It seems to originate from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been called the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it senses a threat, a cobra will not attack if you leave it in peace, although the venomous spit can travel very accurately for two meters. If compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites prove blank, that is without envenomation.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

The colouration of this snake is variable from light green-grey to black, whereas juveniles have alternate yellow and black bands.This snake is to be found all over south-eastern Asia.

Interested in the Cobras? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our brand-new website. Don’t reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

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1. Spitting Cobras The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore,...
2. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...

Size: The most common variety of boa constrictor, the boa constrictor imperator can grow as long as eight feet in length and if that fails to impress, perhaps the fact that the red tailed boa constrictor can grow even larger than ten feet or more will make you realise just how large and powerful these animals are. A fully matured snake that has managed to achieve this size will require a considerable amount of space, not to mention a regular supply of large prey such as rats or even rabbits.

The lifespan of a boa: If you are planning on purchasing a boa, then you need to be aware that you will need to be prepared for a long term commitment which can easily stretch as long as 30 years. You need to consider how you will accommodate your boa’s needs during the course of any major changes in your personal circumstances, what if you are taken to hospital for an extended period of time? Do you know of anyone who would be prepared to clean and feed a 10 foot snake for you?

Now that we have considered some of the practical issues, let us now raise another, equally important question: is a boa constrictor really worth all the hard work?

Snakes are classified as exotic pets and the amount of pleasure that they bring the lucky owners who are fortunate enough to own them is immeasurable. I speak from personal experience for I have owned and cared for a large number of different reptilian friends over the years, but it is the boas that really capture my heart. Some people take one look at them and feel fairly intimidated by them as they fear that they are dangerous or that the boa will strike at any moment. In reality, most captive boas are docile creatures indeed and to be perfectly blunt, they are probably much more frightened of you than you are of them. Just be gentle, patient and reassuring with them and give them the respect they deserve, since no matter how docile they seem they are still large and powerful animals.

Whilst there can be no denying that snakes require a very precise regime of temperature, humidity and diet, they are actually very low maintenance. Cats and dogs maybe the more popular forms of pets but if truth be told, the reality of the matter is that they can be a major burden on their owner. This is because the owner has to contend with their constant demands for exercise, food, attention and the cat/dog will not stop whining until they get what they want. The snake on the other hand, will require only a few minutes each day and otherwise can be left alone.

Boa constrictors are gorgeous, docile and simply awesome pets which can bring a considerable amount of happiness to the right kind of person. You may find it of some practical use if you were to speak with fellow boa constrictor owners and get their opinion on the matter. Whilst they maybe a little biased in favour of owning a boa as a pet, they will be able to tell you what problems you may encounter. Do your research, read up on the subject, speak with other reptile keepers and make your decision carefully, but if you do choose to keep snakes I’m sure you won’t regret the decision!

Click for a boa constrictor care sheet or a guide to the boa constrictor imperator.

Related posts:

1. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
2. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...
3. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...

Hadrurus arizonensis, known as the Giant Hairy Scorpion is a good choice, and is a common one for first time scorpion owners. The Heterometrus swammerdami is at the other end of the scale – a nine inch, extremely rare scorpion, that you are highly unlikely to find available as pet. Far more likely that you will come across the Emperor Scorpion at your local pet store (the species is also known as Pandinus imperator).

There is a checklist that you will want to go through when you buy a scorpion. First make sure that it is not too placid, then check its limbs: pectines, sting, legs, and pincers. This is important for all types of scorpion, especially those that are slightly rarer, such as Heterometrus longimanus (Asian Forest Scorpion) and Heterometrus spinifer (Malaysian Forest Scorpion).

Things that you need to consider after selecting your scorpion species its vivarium, substrate, heating, decor and lighting requirements. Also, what are the food and water needs in your pet scorpion’s diet? You must learn about the scorpion’s habits, such as the molting process, how to handle them, and how to treat scorpion venom if you are bitten. A scorpion makes a very interesting pet, but you should research carefully prior to purchase.

Of the scorpions that are dangerous to many the most beautiful is the Tityus Cambridgei, or Cambridge’s tityus, which is a brownish green, and native to tropical banana plantations. You are not likely to ever have one as a pet, but they are well worth researching. Another scorpion that is dangerous to man is the burrowing thick-tailed scorpion, Parabuthus truculentus. It grows to nearly six inches and is a yellowish, brown color – watch out when walking in the sand of the Ruwenzori river as that is where you will find it burrowing.

Final words: scorpions are an amazing pet, but don’t slack on researching their needs!

The scorpion species is certainly diverse. For more information look at http://hubpages.com/hub/Scorpion-Species. Having a scorpion as a pet is exciting, but you must study its natural habitat. Enjoy that scorpion pet.

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If you desperately want the carpet python because of its stunning patterns, but can only manage a smaller snake, then Morelia spilotes spilotes could be the species for you. Also known as the diamond python, this is a species that is closely related to the carpet python and is distinguished by its beautiful diamond patterns.

A vivarium for the carpet python should be kept at temperatures between twenty three and thirty degrees centigrade. In their native habitat they as happy climbing trees as they are burrowing so you should provide some good quality climbing branches. They won’t be climbing as much as a green tree python, but they will enjoy climbing nonetheless. A carpet python is just as likely to be found in woodland as a desert so that gives you a lot of latitude in setting up a vivarium.

An important consideration with a carpet python is that they are not that easy to handle as adults. They tend to move around a lot and wrap themselves around any loose objects once they are out of the vivarium. However, it is important that you handle them when they are young so they get used to human contact. Once they are adults you can still handle them if you have the patience! These legless, oily, reptiles have all their organs running down one side of their body.

Carpet pythons will eat all mammals, and even enjoy munching on a bird or two. In captivity they will eat weekly, but in the wild they would eat a few large meals each year. They make good pets, but are not for you if you want a snake that is easy to handle.

Green tree pythons are another different to the carpet python, and I would suggest that they are more stunning. See them at http://hubpages.com/hub/Green-Tree-Pythons

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2. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...

The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them with water at once in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also remarkable in this large family of snakes (elapidae) because it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its poison.

The King Cobra is also a record-holder because of its size – it can reach almost twenty feet (585 cms) in length, which makes it the largest poisonous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets at London Zoo.

Going by DNA reports, this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but differs in genes. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been named the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it senses a threat, a cobra will not attack if you leave it in peace, although the venomous spit can travel very accurately for two meters. If compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is pretty slow in attack, and many bites prove blank, that is without envenomation.

Statistics of a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicate that only 55% of the bites involved poison release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of only 10% for people bitten, since the poisons injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxins), which induces respiratory failure approximately half an hour after being bitten, so you have 30 minutes to seek help.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, although juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

Related posts:

1. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
2. Spitting Cobras The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore,...
3. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...

The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them immediately in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also unusual in this large family of snakes (elapidae) bexause it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes with mice and small birds also making up part of its diet.

The King Cobra sets another record in terms of size: it can get to nearly twenty feet long, which makes it the largest venomous snake in the world. The most recent discovery of a new cobra species was made in 2003, when a specimen was identified at a London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

According to DNA studies this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but different in terms of genes. It appears to have originated in an area between Sudan and Egypt, and it was given the name of the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Although they are highly dangerous when threatened cobras will rarely attack if you keep your distance from them, although the spit can travel very accurately for two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is rather slow in its attack and besides that, many bites prove to be non-venomous.

According to a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims only 55% of the bites involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxin) , which induces respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to get help.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, althugh juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

Related posts:

1. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
2. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...

Florida snakes, together with the many turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are part of a complex wildlife structure that plays an incredible role in Florida’s ecosystem maintenance. Florida snakes species are numerous: there are actually forty-four species living in incredibly varied habitats, from salt marshes to fresh water marshes and dry uplands or coastal mangrove swamps to residential areas.

Only six Florida snakes are venomous, and they happily coexist with their non-poisonous cousins, even venturing into towns and cities too. The best way to stay out of trouble with snakes is to care enough to learn about their morphology and therefore become able to identify the Florida snakes. A relaxed attitude of avoidance is the wisest thing a human being could show in relation to snakes.

The Coral snake and pit vipers are the most dangerous Florida snakes. They can be identified by a wide range of characteristics. Pit vipers include the Rattlesnake, the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead. They all have vertical eye pupils, a v-shaped head and facial pits: one between the eyes and nostrils and the others on each side of the head.

The poison of these Florida snakes is haemotoxic, which means that their venom attacks the red blood cells, destroying the wall of the blood vessel and causing uncontrolled hemorrhage. Coral snakes on the other hand use neurotoxic venom, with the toxins in the venom acting on the body nerves and inducing paralysis.

Most of the snake bites reported every year in the United States are caused by Florida snakes or by rattlesnakes to be more precise. Because their venom spreads very quickly throughout the body, the victim will die within less than half an hour without immediate anti-venom.

A major exception in this group of Florida snakes is the copperhead, the venom of which very rarely, if ever, requires anti-venom. Their toxin is the least potent and thus they are considered the least dangerous of the venomous Florida snakes.

It is precisely because of the danger that they present that poisonous snakes get the most attention, although the most common of Florida snakes is the Black Racer, which is a non-toxic species that depends on its sharp fangs to hold onto its prey.

Although the usual tendency of home owners is to remove snakes from their properties, specialists stress the fact that, without them, rodents would breed out of control giving us even more cause for alarm.

Therefore, unless there are any exceptional reasons for worrying, like snakes nesting in large numbers in your garden or outhouses, there is no reason to interfere with the lives of these usually shy, useful animals.

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1. Copperhead Snakes Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern...
2. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...

Though not as venomous as other species, the copperhead snake causes the majority of snake-bites in the US. The copperhead can be recognized by its stubby shape and the clear distinction between the neck and the rest of the body although the cross bands that make up the overall pattern make classification possible too.

Copperhead snakes have pale bellies, similar to the ground on which they live, but they sometimes appear pretty whitish. There are visible spots or pits on the head of copperhead snakes that look like darker tiny specks, but there is also a rather discolored stripe on the head area behind the eyes; this stripe looks very diffuse on top but it gets brownish towards the edges.

Copperhead snakes can be found almost anywhere, from rock and pond areas to woods and the shores of streams. Their choice of habitat is dictated by the predominance of prey, as copperhead snakes live on frogs, small rodents, cicadas, lizards, caterpillars and anything else that cabe taken without too much trouble.

Probably the most common haunts for copperhead snakes are wood piles, stone slabs, walls, debris and abandoned or ruined buildings, which explains the possibility of a face to face encounter in such areas. Copperhead snakes are active from March to October, with a hibernation period in the cold autumn and winter months.

Copperhead snakes use the dens in which they spend the winter year after year and usually there are large numbers of other individuals in hibernation together. In summer time when it is too hot outside, the copperhead will stay in the shade during the day and hunt at night. On lovely warm days, this snake will lie in the sun on rocks or wood debris. The young of copperhead snakes are born live and are not hatched; their number ranges between one and fourteen, with the mating period extending ’till mid autumn.

The bites of copperhead snakes require immediate medical care since they are not only very painful but they may also lead to permanent scarring and tissue loss. Avoid copperhead snakes when you come across them. Many people get bitten when trying to kill them or pick them up.

Snakes will not harm you unless they sense danger, when you will see how fiercely they can defend themselves. Statistics indicate that copperhead snakes are the most frequent life threateners in the US, because these snakes attack quite out of the blue without sending any warning signals like other species do.

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1. Florida Snakes Florida snakes, together with the many turtles, lizards, alligators and other reptiles are part of a complex wildlife structure that plays a marvelous role in Florida's ecosystem maintenance. Florida snakes species are numerous: there are actually forty-four species living in incredibly varied habitats, from salt marshes to fresh water marshes...
2. The Spitting Cobras The species of snake called the spitting cobra is very unusual as it not only has a poisonous bite but it also spits venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes is very painful and can even blind you temporarily, therefore, if...
3. Spitting Cobras The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore,...