The smallest snakes in the world. The smallest venomous snakes

Snakes from ancient times are known as dangerous, terrible, endowed with magical abilities beings. They attributed the ability to hypnosis, used in rituals, they were worshiped and feared. There are among the representatives of these reptiles just giants, reaching 14 meters. However, there are also babies, which we will talk about further.

Snakes: a general characteristic

They belong to the class of Reptiles, or Reptiles. They have structural features that make it possible to distinguish them against the background of other representatives of the taxon.

1. The organs of vision are devoid of age, therefore the look is very steadfast and unblinking. It is for this biological feature that snakes were attributed to hypnotic powers.
2. Completely devoid of limbs. Body elongated, narrow. In some species, rudiments of the former hind limbs are preserved.
3. Absence of external organs of hearing. Snakes very poorly hear - only very loud sounds, it is better, if they will be accompanied by vibrations and a shaking of air. But they have excellent thermoreceptors, located on the tongue, and are guided by the olfactory bulbs of Jacobson. Therefore, even in absolute darkness, they will unerringly find their prey.

Also an interesting feature in the structure of these creatures is that all their internal organs have an elongated shape, and the lungs are strongly reduced. The bladder as part of the excretory system is absent. The skeleton is represented by a skull and a spine, which has a trunk and a caudal section. Some species have over 430 vertebrae in the building!

Ribs are free-lying structures in the body cavity that are not connected by the sternum. Therefore, if swallowed, the prey may be moved apart and provide space for stretching. Jaws are also connected by stretch ligaments to facilitate absorption of food.

It is known that there are three categories of snakes according to the mode of feeding:

• Predators are not poisonous;
• Insectivorous;
• Poisonous snakes.

There are the smallest snakes, there are also giants. Among all representatives there are both poisonous and safe species.

The smallest venomous snakes

The fact that a snake of small size and seemingly quite innocuous, still does not say anything. There are species that, with modest parameters, are terrible killers. Their poison is deadly, and not only for animals, but for humans too.

The smallest snakes in the world, the photos of which can be seen below, are able to absorb prey in half of their body, killing it with toxic products. To poisonous babies are:

• Dwarf viper;
• An ordinary viper;
• Sandy efa.

Consider how the smallest snakes among the poisonous live, and what they represent.

Dwarf Viper

Representative of the narrow coasts of Namibia in Africa. This little snake got its name for its modest dimensions, because its body length does not exceed 30 cm (more often 20-25). Outwardly slightly different from its relatives in that it does not have horny outgrowths above the eyes. For this it is also called an ungainly. Despite the small parameters, refers to the poisonous and is capable of one bite to kill a large enough lizard.

However, the poison is not instantly paralyzed, so the victim dies only 10-15 minutes after the defeat. The color of the dwarf viper may vary, vary during life after molting. It happens:

• Cream-gray;
• Yellowish-brown;
• Reddish-yellow;
• Pink;
• Light brown.

Along the entire back stretches a longitudinal pattern in the form of pale black spots. The body is thickened. The tail is painted black. Capable of quickly burrowing into the sand, as if screwing into it. So she spends most of the time waiting for the victim. Moves laterally. Eggs do not put off, because it is viviparous. The number of offspring at a time can be up to 10 individuals.

Common Adder

Such small snakes as ordinary vipers are a typical species for Eurasia. The distribution of their distribution is very wide, because one individual has an area of a few hectares. They have peculiarities in the structure and color of the body. So, over the eyes of these snakes there are horny scales, the entire muzzle is also covered with similar outgrowths. In the center are cut nostril courses.

The color of the trunk can be:

• Gray;
• Brown;
• Brown;
• Olive;
• Reddish.

The tail is much lighter, it can be yellow or slightly reddish. Abdominal part light gray or yellow.

These snakes live mainly in forest thickets, on felling areas. Occupy abandoned people winter huts. The length of their body is not more than 75 cm. Moreover, females are larger than males. They lay eggs, from which up to 12 young can hatch. The venom of these species of snakes is toxic, destroys blood and capillaries. However, they themselves do not attack without action, they are quite friendly.

Babies, newly born, feed on insects. Adult individuals eat rodents and amphibians. In this case, the vipers themselves also serve as food for many large birds of prey and animals.

Sand Efie

The smallest snakes and the most dangerous at the same time are sandy efes. Representatives are small - only up to 60 cm in length. However, with such modest dimensions, beautiful mobile snakes of this kind are the strongest killers. They are more afraid than big snake serpents. Why?

The answer is simple - the bite of this individual is fatal. And for a person including. Even if you manage to remove the poison from the body in time and neutralize it, in most cases people remain cripples.

The most terrible thing is that the distribution area of the efa is very large. It inhabits the lands of northern Africa, Persia, Algeria and the surrounding territories, Turkey. Settlement is almost as wide as the common viper in Eurasia.

Its body color varies in different versions of yellow, brown and cream. The snake is beautiful enough, as all her body is decorated with patterns - stains, stripes, geometric patterns.

Another feature is the live birth and the number of offspring - up to 16 pieces at a time! In this case, snakes may multiply even in winter, since they do not fall into hibernation. Efa is a very mobile snake. When she sees the danger, she makes typical rustling sounds, jumps up and down, twists and rushes on the spot.

Non-poisonous little snakes

Among the representatives of more or less friendly, at least not introducing poison into the body of the victim, there are both large and small forms. In this case, very interesting are small snakes. Kinds of the tiniest of them are as follows:

• Blindness, or brahmin blindness;
• Peaceable eirenis;
• Barbados narrow-snake.

Let's consider each representative in detail and find out what are interesting and unusual these creatures.

Brahmin blind

The smallest snake in the world, reaching a length of only 12 cm. The body is painted in a dark brown color. Very shiny, quirky and agile. Habitat:

• Sri Lanka;
• Madagascar;
• India;
• Southeast Asia.

Another name for these creatures is pot snakes. And this is not surprising. After all, they are completely free to adapt to life in flower pots, where they lay eggs. Thanks to this, we settled even wider. They love dark, humid habitats. The tip of their tail has a small thorn. They feed on insects and worms. Do not attack a person and do not bite.

Barbados Narrow-Throated Carla

By right the smallest snake in the world is the Barbados narrow-necked carla, which was discovered by scientists in 2008. Its name was given for the habitat - Barbados, and also in honor of the wife of the scientist who made the discovery.

It is difficult to call the longevity of these tiny (up to 10 cm) creatures. After all, they live only a few months - from spring to autumn. At the same time have time to give offspring in the form of eggs. Their way of life and characteristics have been studied so far poorly enough.

It is known that narrow-rods feed on termites and larvae, their color is dark brown from above and light brown on the abdomen. They prefer to hide under rocks, in crevices and other secluded places.

The discovery of this snake was performed by Blair Hodges. During the investigation, the individual did not attack and did not attempt to defend itself, therefore it is still considered to be a fairly friendly species. To date, the habitat of these creatures has been significantly reduced due to deforestation and human settlement. Therefore, in the future, the species may be threatened with extinction.

Smyrny eirenis

Representatives of snakes are also small snakes. A photo of one of these can be seen below. This is a quiet eirenis. Its name was for absolute conflict-free. He does not attack people, does not bite, is actually quiet.

The color of this snake varies within such limits:

• Gray;
• Beige;
• Brown.

On the head there is a pattern in the form of a light spot. With age it darkens and merges with the rest of the body. The tail is strongly truncated against the background of the trunk. Inhabits in:

• Iran and Iraq;
• Turkey;
• Azerbaijan;
• Georgia and Armenia;
• On the islands of the Mediterranean Sea.

For the winter hibernates. Active only in the evening, sleeping in the bushes or stony crevices during the day. Can climb to the mountains to a height of more than 1500 m. It is listed in the annex to the Red Book of Russia.

It feeds on insects, scorpions. Can eat centipedes and bastards. She lays eggs, burying them in the ground.

Biological role of snakes in nature

The smallest snakes, like the biggest snakes, are of great importance for nature. After all, for many birds of prey and animals, they are a source of nutrition. In addition, for a person can be useful not only the individuals themselves, but also their fat, eggs, skin. So, a person consumes some kinds of snakes. In addition, it is these reptiles that destroy a huge number of insects, which are malicious pests of agriculture.

Also, one of the uses of snakes for humans is the extraction of their poison, which is used to create effective medications for many ailments - ointments, tinctures, balms and other means.