The word "snake" originates from Proto-Indo-European (language believed to have been spoken about 4000 BC) "snag- (sneg-)" which means "to crawl, creeping thing".

There are about 2,700 species of snakes, of these 375 are venomous (with about 250 able to kill a human). It is estimated that lightning kills more people than snake venom.

Snakes are found in many habitats including in the water, forests, deserts and prairies, but most snakes are found in tropical regions.

A land snake considered by many herpetologists (specialist dealing with reptiles and amphibians) to be the most venomous is the inland taipan (also known as the Inland Taipan). Its bite can contain enough venom to kill 200,000 mice (or 100 adult humans).

The venom of any venomous snake may contain up to 300 different compounds. Some snakes’ venom targets living cells, others may rupture cell walls, or cause massive internal bleeding by damaging the blood cells and vessels.

Snakes use their tongues to smell the air and identify an approaching stranger. The faster snake’s tongue flicks, the more information it gets of the approaching creature.

The only true sea snake is yellow-bellied sea snake. It can grow up to a metre in length, and its venom is more poisonous than a cobra’s.

The snakes get their body heat from the environment, and their metabolism is more than 10 times slower than a mammal of similar size. Due to these qualities they don't need to feed regularly to generate heat for continuous activity.

Snakes shed their skin three to six times per year. The yellow-bellied sea snake, however, sheds its skin every two weeks to stop it from being encrusted with barnacles.