Most of the more than 3,000 species of snakes pose no threat to humans. Despite an almost universal human fear of snakes, most of them are shy and reclusive and avoid human confrontation at all costs.

When used in snake-charming rituals, these naturally passive animals—many of whom have had their teeth yanked out and their mouths sewn shut—are so terrified that they rear up in self-defense. Some people are under the impression that the snakes are being charmed by the music, when they are actually rising up and extending their hoods in vain efforts to defend themselves.

Rescued green keelback snake

Fascinating Snake Facts

• Snakes can recognize their relatives and have elaborate mating rituals, and many have been seen caring for their young.
• Snakes are great actors. To trick predators, some will “play dead” by rolling over on their backs and falling limp, with their tongues hanging out. Some snakes may even give off a rancid stench to deter predators.
• When it comes to infrared technology, snakes beat us to it. Some snakes have special organs on their nose that can detect infrared radiation from warm bodies, allowing them—as an infrared camera does—to see at night.
• Herpetologist David Holtzman, who has spent years studying spatial learning and memory in snakes, has found that the reptiles possess a remarkable aptitude for learning. He reports, “The bottom line is that when tested in a biologically meaningful way, snakes exhibit spatial learning that rivals the learning abilities of birds and rodents.”
• Despite lacking external ears and eardrums, snakes possess two hearing systems. By resting their jawbones on the ground, snakes can detect the smallest of vibrations—such as those produced by the tiptoeing of a mouse. These vibrations travel to the inner ear, where the signals are ultimately transmitted to the brain.

Like dogs and cats, snakes feel pain and fear and deserve the same freedom from cruelty that we show other more cuddly animals. Help protect snakes by never patronizing snake charmers and by choosing synthetic materials instead of exotic skins.