Snakes are the stuff of nightmares for a lot of people. Just seeing and holding these creatures can terrify people, so you can only imagine the terror of being trapped with dozens of them in a plane. That’s exactly the kind of sheer terror the move Snakes on A Plane sought to capture. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, the movie revolves around how people inside an airplane fight to survive after hundreds of snakes are placed and released inside.
A snake can be described as a legless lizard. It is a carnivorous reptile from the suborder Serpentes. They do not have external ears or eyelids but they do have very keen senses. Snake sizes vary, with some snakes as small and thin as twigs, while others can grow more than 20 feet long and weigh more than an average person. Their skin is covered by overlapping scales and is described as being supple and nice to the touch. As such, snakes are captured for their skins, which are turned to luxury goods such as shoes and bags. Snakes can be found in all of the continents, save for Antarctica.
Many snake species have skulls that have many joints. This lets them swallow prey much larger than their heads. Most snakes have the ability to dislocate their jaws just so they can swallow their prey whole. They feed of smaller animals such as rodents, lizards, birds, snails and even other snakes. Some snakes are also known to slither up to bird nests and eat their eggs. They change their skin and molt during certain times of the year.
Not all snakes are poisonous, with people even keeping them as pets. If you do get bitten by a snake, keep the bite clean and find out what type of snake it was before going to the hospital.
Anaconda, the 1997 “creature-feature” starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube, brought slews of moviegoers to theaters, telling the tale of how a National Geographic-type crew meets with the fabled giant Anacondas of the South American rainforests, face to face.
Though the anacondas in the movie remain to be mythical gigantic creatures, anacondas are among the largest snakes in the world, though the name actually refers to a group of snakes, typified by their constricting capacities.
They are quite popular in exotic pet circles, given their overall non-venomous status as snakes and given their relative composure when kept as pets.
When it comes to pet anacondas, most exotic pet owners are torn between getting a ball python or a green anaconda. Both are among the most commonly encountered types of anacondas, and understanding the differences between the two, though categorized as anacondas, helps identify which type is better to keep as a pet.
Ball Python Pet owners say – that their snakes are generally easier to keep compared to green anacondas, though having these type of snakes as pets is not without its problems too.
Depending on a particular snake’s temperament, ball pythons are quick, with cases of pet owners experiencing bites to the face when handling them. Though they are non-venomous, their bites are still painful to experience, and as with most bites, they could leave behind scars.
Some ball python pet owners confess that there are times when their pets, in the instances when they do get to bite them, just won’t let go, unlike other snake varieties which are quick to bite and quick to let go.
Green anaconda pet owners say – that if a challenge in handling a ball python’s temperament is encountered, green anacondas are more fickle and more difficult to keep.
Generally speaking, green anacondas are ideally kept by expert pet snake owners, who have better understanding and experience in dealing with snakes.
If you’re simply starting out in keeping a pet anaconda, smaller types like the ball python or the carpet python are highly advised by most expert and experienced anaconda pet owners.
I have no idea how else to write the title to bring it closer to the actual humongous size of the titanoboa monster. I’m thinking, “Bus Size Giant Snake…” but even that would be an understatement given the fact that most busses are only 40 foot long. So that title would actually defeat my aim right? Point is, this is by far the biggest snake that has ever lived on this Earth!
Remember the movie, Anaconda featuring the then giant constrictor boa snakes? Yup. Those snakes that can easily eat a human being alive. Well, supersize that, put it on steroids and imagine giant crocodiles and other constrictor boas as part of its meal plan and you can come closer to the sheer size of the titanoboa. Yup! Giant crocodiles = snacks when it comes to this monster!
Titanoboa History
Titanoboa remains were uncovered in a coal mine in back in 2005. Among the discovers were Jonathan Bloach (Paleocene era specialist), Carlos Jaramillo (vertebrate paleontologist) and Jason Head (Smithsonianian Tropical Research Institute). These are the good men who came up with the “titan” + “boa” combination of titanoboa.
Titanoboa at Present
From March 22, 2012, the titanoboa is at New York courtesy of the Smithsonian institute. Luckily, it’s not there to snack on passersby since it’s only a reconstructed titanoboa for everyone’s viewing pleasure and hopefully it will catch enough attention to put more interest into science to as many people as possible. At least this is one aims of the display per Randall Kremer of the Smithsonian.
Titanoboa will also be featured in a 2 hour program come April first on the Smithsonian Channel. Naturally, it’s called “Titanoboa: Monster Snake”. You think you can think of a more fitting title? Put them to words on the comments box below!
When talking about snakes as pets, many have made the mistake of making hasty decisions in keeping them, bringing them home without really thinking about the responsibility involved in their care and regular handling.
Before you go out of your way in getting a pet snake just because it’s cool or awesome to have, here are some facts which have to be said first.
Do well to remember what’s jotted down here before you make a mess out of your decision in keeping a snake for a pet.
Pet Snakes—What has to be Said
Snakes require a lot of dedication and commitment to have as pets, given that their lifespans last as long as 20 years, and given that not everyone finds them agreeable to have around. These snake facts could pose a problem if you’re just renting your home, along with the onset of potential issues related to maintaining/replacing snake enclosures/pens.
Apart from longevity, snakes are also fickle when it comes to their diets, with some snake species only eating predator-killed or live animals. Though pre-killed meals (oftentimes frozen) are sold in exotic pet shops, not all snakes respond well to these “treats.”
Source should also be considered when talking about pet snakes, since it is a known fact that wild snakes are more prone to disease and parasites. Wild snakes also tend to be more tense and stressed compared to their captivity-bred, domesticated cousins.
Also, snakes have a thing with getting into tight corners, hiding in the most inconvenient areas when they do manage to break out from enclosures/pens. In apartment complexes, townhouses or duplex type domiciles, this could lead to arguments with neighbors, especially if a pet snake manages to go next door.
But of all the concerns over keeping snakes as pet, their bite is pretty much the biggest concern to think about, especially with venomous snake species.
At times, exotic pet shops recommend Ball Pythons or Corn Snakes as pet snake options since these are known to be quite docile and easy to take care. But when it comes to Red-tailed Boas, Boa Constrictors, Burmese Pythons, Tree Boas, Water Snakes, Green Snakes, Reticulated Pythons, Anacondas, and any venomous snake (Cobras, Vipers, etc), having these around as pets is not really a good idea.
So, think cool or awesome is still reason enough for you to get that pet snake?
