Reptiles

Snakes yawn for many reasons, but none of them have to do with the snake being sleepy. Snakes yawn to widen their gape or align the lower jaw after eating. They also yawn or gape when they are sick. Yawning or keeping their mouths open wide also helps them detect chemicals in the air to …

When my kids brought home a pet snake from school and promptly announced they were going to raise and care for the slithering creature, I was naturally horrified. I had never been into snake keeping (or any other reptiles for that matter), and I happily thought that a snake must surely have a short lifespan …

There are many species of snakes classified under the umbrella term “garter snakes”, but the most popular species of pet garter snake is the Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis), which is a subspecies of the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis). Many garter snakes have similar diets. They eat a variety of small fish, worms, …

The first time I saw a snake eat itself, I was completely horrified and, at the same time, I was confused. Why would a snake eat itself? Was it hungry? Had it gone crazy? I would discover that what may have seemed like Ouroboros, or the mythical self-devouring snake, was, in fact, a result of …

Snakes are truly fascinating creatures that could make the perfect pet for the right human being. With the proper kind of handling, snakes make great companions and can become tame as pets. Of course, snakes aren’t a one-size-fits-all pet for everyone. They have specific needs that you should meet when keeping them as pets. If …