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DragonsEye
12-13-12, 12:55 PM
Note, not necessarily the most beautiful. Like so many organisms, snakes as a group have developed a number of different adaptations for succeeding in their enviroment. Just curious as to what one or ones, folks here might have found to be the most intriguing and why. (The snake(s) in question do not have to be ones you own or have owned in the past.)

I think for myself, the stiletto snakes would have to be near the top if not at the top of my list of the most intriguing/fascinating adaptations. The jaw modifications they have undergone which allow them to envenomate prey without needing to do more than open their mouths to a slit as well as their entire venom apparatus are, IMO, just remarkable.

Side-stabbing stiletto snakes – Tetrapod Zoology (http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2008/05/26/sidestabbing-stiletto-snakes/)

And a strike/feeding video that shows the ... awkwardness? ... such snakes have in swallowing their prey as a result of the adaptation of side striking.

Stiletto Snake Striking - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PU53ddi_ww&ytsession=aqccw4-Bj-0UIctJDeGfzZdnzr_SNCs3kajRTuVPQ-CShVrX21CB-wbD3jdfjWzIcJ5hiHBoYrAezLb6om_YsJ6VcjRdaoCP4xwYmvX 9-pAPhaUFF58Y_p-y31MVEelCo8MkJs18mwv0lbtcrTLIGDt_2mo_sy1-SAuXqZv9ry8ztskV-jwWy76tsKw-3eAujBmazoCeHFomsS-COrcwM3hqNK7wJe7a606NaPB0yAK5Zoexkl2YSsgG90Ul1-QUO3yB_9KmTwJzrzV5o2DDshpTE4_02JZ9HrXTQCigotY&oref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4P U53ddi_ww%26ytsession%3Daqccw4-Bj-0UIctJDeGfzZdnzr_SNCs3kajRTuVPQ-CShVrX21CB-wbD3jdfjWzIcJ5hiHBoYrAezLb6om_YsJ6VcjRdaoCP4xwYmvX 9-pAPhaUFF58Y_p-y31MVEelCo8MkJs18mwv0lbtcrTLIGDt_2mo_sy1-SAuXqZv9ry8ztskV-jwWy76tsKw-3eAujBmazoCeHFomsS-COrcwM3hqNK7wJe7a606NaPB0yAK5Zoexkl2YSsgG90Ul1-QUO3yB_9KmTwJzrzV5o2DDshpTE4_02JZ9HrXTQCigotY&has_verified=1)




http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af248/leslie_may/Christmas/GetTree.gif

BarelyBreathing
12-13-12, 01:13 PM
Stiletto snakes are awesome. That would be one of my top choices for most interesting.

totheend
12-13-12, 03:03 PM
Tentacled snake. Very interesting snake for sure.

bushsnake
12-13-12, 03:09 PM
i say north american garter snakes are interesting in the way they are naturally extremely varable in color. There really is no color that a Thamnophis ordinoides or a Thamnophis melanogaster canescens cant be(blue,red,brown,yellow,patterless,patterened etc). Very similar to amazon tree boas and eyelash vipers.

bushsnake
12-13-12, 03:23 PM
and then theres the king cobra. it just demands respect....and guess what...youll give it

infernalis
12-13-12, 11:55 PM
i say north american garter snakes are interesting in the way they are naturally extremely varable in color. There really is no color that a Thamnophis ordinoides or a Thamnophis melanogaster canescens cant be(blue,red,brown,yellow,patterless,patterened etc). Very similar to amazon tree boas and eyelash vipers.


Don't overlook that behaviour Joe.

Garter snakes are amusing to watch.

CMRetics
12-14-12, 12:04 AM
I enjoy animals who I can tell are looking back at me and have something ticking behind their head. Most snakes I've worked with just look at me with this blank stare, only 2 species I've interacted with stand out as "intelligent" enough to stare right back into your eyes, and you know they are thinking something.

King Cobras and Retics. In the lizard side I've only found this true of my varanids.