Common Questions

Whenever I give a presentation, I seem to always be asked the same general questions. I thought that if more than one person is interested in these answers, then I should address them in my blog.

Q: Does that snake bite?
A: This is the question I am always asked and it is one of my least favorite ones. It seems trivial to know that all animals bite. I cute bunny rabbit will bite if it feels the need. Heck, even I would bite someone if they were sticking their finger in my face. I assume that they mean to ask "Does that snake bite often?". Even then, there is still a possibility that it will bite you. If someone is holding it, it is probably safe. If it is in a box with a lid, then it is probably aggressive. Just don't be an idiot around the snake and treat it with respect, that should keep you fairly safe.

Q: Do snakes have ears/ can snakes hear?
A: Snakes don't have the same kind of ears that we like to think of; they are not visible like ours. However, they aren't deaf so to speak. They can sense vibrations and low frequency sounds due to vestiges of the apparatus in their heads. In other words, they have an inner ear that connects to their jaw that allows them to feel large amounts of vibration. What's the purpose of hissing then? It is just intended to warn predators. It is utterly useless for communication.

Q: What is the study of snakes called?

Milking a snake

A: Well, the study of reptiles and amphibians is called herpetology. Careers in herpetology can range from milking a snake to studying its venom to see if it has medical benefits.

Q: How do you milk a snake?
A: Firstly, snakes don't have utters. The 'milk' of the snake actually refers to the collecting of snake venom. Places that milk snakes often catch poisonous snakes in the wild and 'activate' the glands of venom of the snake behind the fangs. They catch the venom in cups and send it to researchers to do further investigation.

Q: Do all snakes lay eggs?
A: No. Only 70% of snakes lay eggs. Oviparous snakes -snakes that lay eggs- usually live in warm climates, while viviparous snakes -snakes with live young- live in cooler climates because their young couldn't survive the cold on their own. Boas are viviparous snakes that have live young.

I hope this helps with any questions you may have. Feel free to ask any further questions and I will happily answer.

Links: http://m.livescience.com/32252-do-snakes-have-ears.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/01/photogalleries/snakes/photo5.html