One of the world's largest reptile reserves, Australia is now home to more than a hundred and forty species of snakes. From the windswept cliffs of the south to a small patch of tropical forest in the northeast, through the desert plains of the center of the island, these have adapted over the centuries to the progressive drying of the climate.
About a quarter of snake species have chemical weapons: a sometimes lethal neurotoxic venom that neutralizes them after a bite and allows them to swallow them in one mouthful before being quietly digested in the sun. But to survive in a hostile environment, they must use other strategies: speed of movement, sophisticated sensory sensors, camouflage, patience and generally speaking, cunning. Their existence is tough when you have to forage for imaginary food to find spawning power, or face a fraternal enemy like a hungry monitor lizard or a mighty mulga snake. Knowledge of the metabolism and behavior of these species continues to increase, revealing surprising discoveries that will help better protect their natural habitats in the future. The desert taipan, the amethyst python (“king of the jungle”), the marine lathikata and others act as messengers here, which are far from promising.
Photo credit: DR
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