Key Stages in a Snake’s Life Cycle
Snakes are reptiles who have an elongated body, no legs or wings and are carnivorous in nature. Snakes fall under the order Squamata and then under the suborder Serpentes. These reptiles are able to scare the living soul of human beings as some species are venomous, but not all. Snakes can survive on land or water, depending upon the species. Snakes are mostly active during the day and especially during summers, as they go out to get heat. They are inactive during the night and only rattlesnakes are able to hunt in resting coiled positions with its tail
Out of 2900 species of snakes, around 600 are venomous. The non venomous snakes attack their prey by strangling them with their body and swallowing them alive. Due to this very reason, understanding the life cycle of a snake is intriguing. In this article, we are going to look closely at the life cycle of a snake. The scales on a snake helps it to capture moisture in dry areas and for easy mobility while traveling.
Life Cycle of a Snake
1. The Egg – Stage 1
After the male and female snakes have mated, the female snake stores the male sperm in her oviduct for 1 or 2 months. After fertilization, the female snake lays large but soft leather-like, white colored eggs. The female snake is capable of producing and laying 10 to 15 fertilized eggs. The eggs are primarily guarded by the female snake till the eggs hatch. The time period for the species differs in species depending upon the favourable environmental conditions.
2. Young Snake (Snakelet) – Stage 2
Once the embryo inside the egg develops, it hatches young snakes known as snakelets. These snakelets emerge from the eggs from sufficient heat or by breaking the egg shell with their teeth. These young snakes feed on tinier reptiles and rodents. In this stage, snakelets shed their skin four times a year, in order to become bigger and enter the adult stage in their life. Through these four stages of molting the young snake serves two purposes. One reason is to remove the old and dry skin and the second is to remove any parasites residing on the old skin.
3. Adult Snake – Stage 3
When a snakelet enters the adult stage, it becomes mature sexually within a span of 2 to 3 years. Unlike the young snakelets, an adult snake sheds skin only one or two times a year. A young snake sheds its skin four times a year. From here, the adult snake begins the series of hunting down prey for feeding and survival.
Difference Between Venomous and Non Venomous Snake
The venomous snakes are large and fat in size while non venomous snakes are small and average size. The eyes of non venomous snakes are round while the eyes of venomous snakes are similar to that of a cat’s eyes. The heads of venomous snakes are triangular in shape, while non venomous snakes have more round shaped heads.
Where Do Snakes Live?
As snakes are cold-blooded reptiles, which means they don’t have the capability to make their own body heat. Therefore, they can be found in warmer areas around the world except for Iceland, Ireland etc which are known to be coldest countries. Different kinds of snakes can be seen slithering around in places like forests, deserts, prairies and even in the water which helps them to stay warmer.
Conclusion:
The highly intimidating reptile, the adult snake starts a series of hunting down prey for food sources. Even though snakes are a category of reptiles with 6,000 different species under them, they all are carnivorous. All snakes feed on insects, lizards, frogs, birds, eggs of other animals, snails and so on.
FAQs on Snake Life Cycle: Stages and Explanation
1. What are the main stages in the life cycle of a snake?
A snake's life cycle typically unfolds in four main stages. It begins with the egg stage for most species, followed by the hatchling stage when the young snake emerges. The snake then grows through the juvenile stage, where it hunts and grows larger, before finally reaching the adult stage, where it is capable of reproduction.
2. Do all snakes lay eggs to have babies?
No, not all snakes lay eggs. While most snakes are oviparous (egg-laying), some have different methods of giving birth:
- Oviparous: Most snakes, like pythons and corn snakes, lay eggs in a safe place and leave them to hatch.
- Viviparous: Some snakes, such as boas and anacondas, nourish their young inside their bodies with a placenta and give birth to live, fully-formed babies.
- Ovoviviparous: In species like rattlesnakes and garter snakes, the eggs develop and hatch inside the mother's body, so she gives birth to live young.
3. How long do snakes typically live?
A snake's lifespan varies greatly depending on its species, habitat, and whether it lives in the wild or in captivity. Smaller snakes like garter snakes might live for about 5-10 years in the wild, while larger species like ball pythons can live for 20-30 years, especially in a protected environment.
4. How do snakes find a mate to reproduce?
Snakes primarily rely on their sense of smell to find a partner. The female snake releases special chemical scents called pheromones. A male snake detects these scents by flicking its forked tongue, which collects particles from the air and transfers them to a special sensory organ in its mouth called the Jacobson's organ. This helps the male track and locate a female for mating.
5. Why is shedding skin an important part of a snake's life?
Shedding, also known as ecdysis, is crucial for a snake's health and growth. A snake's skin doesn't grow, so as the snake gets bigger, it must shed its tight, old outer layer to allow for expansion. This process also serves another important purpose: it helps the snake remove harmful parasites, like ticks and mites, that may have attached to its old skin.
6. What happens to a snake's activity during the winter?
Snakes are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external sources like the sun for body heat. In cold winter months, when there isn't enough heat, they enter a state of inactivity called brumation. They find shelter in burrows or rock crevices, and their metabolism slows down significantly to conserve energy until warmer weather returns.
7. Are there simple ways to tell if a snake is venomous?
While there are some general characteristics often associated with venomous snakes, they are not always reliable and have many exceptions. It's always safest to treat any unknown snake with caution. Some common, but not universal, indicators include:
- Head Shape: Many venomous snakes have a distinct, triangular-shaped head, while non-venomous ones often have a more rounded, spoon-shaped head.
- Pupil Shape: Many venomous vipers have vertical, cat-like pupils, whereas non-venomous snakes often have round pupils. However, venomous snakes like the coral snake have round pupils.
8. How does a newborn snake survive on its own?
A newborn or hatchling snake is born fully equipped for survival. From the moment of birth or hatching, it is completely independent. It does not receive any care from its parents. The young snake can immediately hunt for small prey like insects or tiny lizards and has all the necessary instincts to hide from predators.
