Milk snake Description and Physical Characteristics

Description of Milk Snake

Milk snake have smooth and shiny scales and their typical color pattern is alternating bands of red-black-yellow or white-black-red. However, red blotches instead of bands are seen in some populations. Some milk snakes have a striking resemblance to coral snakes and this mimicry likely scares away potential predators. While both milk and coral snakes possess transverse bands of red, black and yellow, a common mnemonic can be used to properly distinguish between the deadly coral snake.

Milk Snake's Physical characteristics

Although all milksnakes have smooth, shiny scales, they can look quite different from one region to the next. Some have large red or brown blotches that are often lined in black on a gray to tan background; others have bands of red, black, and yellow or white. A few are solid black. Adults range from 20 to 60 inches in length. Most milks snake hatchlings are red with black-and-white stripes. This distinctive color pattern is similar to coral snakes, which are often found in the same places as milksnakes. Coral snakes are venomous, but they are not.

Geographic range of Milk Snake

Milk snakes are found across a wide range. They live in southern Canada and most of the United States, except deserts and high mountains. These snakes are also found throughout Central America south to the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador. In general, the largest adults are found in warmer, tropical regions farther south. The smallest live in the northernmost parts of the snake’s range. There is one exception, however. The milksnakes found in warm, subtropical Florida are much smaller than milks snakes from the northeastern United States.

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Gharial

Like all large crocodiles, gharials life begins quite low. Young gharials, a length of 1 m (3.3 feet) in 18 months. The average body weight of the species 159-250 kg (350-550 lb). Gharials exceeded in length only by the saltwater crocodile. Gharials tail "well developed laterally flattened and webbed rear feet provide tremendous maneuverability in their deepwater habitats. On land, however, an adult gharial only to push forward and slide on the belly.

 

 

Continued improvement of swimming ability, body shape gavial relatively cylindrical, compared to the larger, more well-built body of water or a Nile crocodile salt for the detection of different prey consists edges of streams. The gharial's long narrow snout is proportionally shorter and thicker as an animal ages. Growth bulb at the end of the mouth of a crocodile man gharials accessible as sexual dimorphism.

The Nepali word Ghara घड़ा means earthenware pot, water, vase, pitcher. cheeks are nested, sharp teeth lined 27 to 29 above and 25 or 26 lower teeth on each side. Opening is a nasal gharial is smaller than the above-temporal pit. the front lower edge of the track (Jugal) is raised and lower jaws is extremely long, arranged in 23 or 24 teeth. nuchal and dorsal scales form a shield 21 or 22 continuous transverse series. gavials an outer row of scales soft, smooth or slightly beside keeled dorsal bone platesTypically, adult gharials dark olive color, while boys are pale olive, with dark brown spots or cross bands.

 

Gharials once in all the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent, spread over prospered rivers in the northern part of the Indus in Pakistan through the Gangetic plains of the Irrawaddy in Myanmar. Today, they disappeared in the river Indus, the Brahmaputra of Bhutan and Bangladesh and in the Irrawaddy River. Their distribution is limited to only 2% of their former range India are small populations exist and takes into rivers Chambal National Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Son River Sanctuary and the rainforest biome of Mahanadi in Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary, Orissa, where they apparently can not reproduce.

 

In Nepal, small populations are present and slowly recovering in tributaries of the Ganges, the river Rapti-Narayani system in Chitwan National Park and the Karnali-Babai river system in Bardia National Park. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in the Irrawaddy Delta In 1977, four nests in the river Girwa Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, where 909 gharials were published until 2006. In 1978, twelve nests in the Chambal river in National Chambal Sanctuary, where 3776 and 2006 were released gharials included. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to downstream protected areas emptied during the annual monsoon flooding Unlike most crocodiles.

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Nile Crocodile

Nile crocodiles occurred in the Nile delta Zarqa River (Jordan) and recorded by Herodotus who inhabited Lake Moeris. In Madagascar, crocodiles occur in the western and southern parts of the Sembirano in Port Dauphin. Until recently, many permanent waters in the Sahara still housed relict populations. Found in East Africa, particularly in rivers, lakes, wetlands and reservoirs. The species was probably widespread in West Africa, but these populations are now recognized as a distinct species, the crocodile desert.

 

Nile crocodiles have a dark bronze colouration above, with black spots on the back and a dirty purple on the belly. The sides are yellowish green dark spots are arranged in diagonal stripes. Like all crocodiles, the Nile crocodile is a quadruped with four short legs wide apart, a long tail and powerful, scaly skin with rows of bony shields. Along the back and tail and powerful jaws must protect the nictitating membranes around the eyes and tear ducts to rinse your eyes with tears.

 

The belly is yellow-green, and makes high-quality leather. Smaller specimens can gallop, crocodiles are even more impressive explosions capable of reaching a speed of only 12 to 14 km / h (7.5 to 8.7 mph). The skin has a number of poorly understood organs integumentary (ISO), which can react to changes in water pressure. The bite force of an adult Nile crocodile has been exercised by Dr. Brady Barr demonstrated that measure 5,000 lbf (22 kN).

On each side of the mouth, there are five teeth in the front part of the upper jaw (premaxilla), 13 or 14 in the rest of the upper jaw (OK) and 14 and 15 on each side of the lower jaw (mandible). Out of the water can crocodiles competition from other predators of the savannah dominant, particularly cats such as lions and leopards. Occasionally both big cats and crocodiles and prey are hunted each other, depending on the size, when food is scarce normal The Nile crocodile is the largest crocodile in Africa and is sometimes regarded as the second largest after crocodile saltwater crocodile.

 

 

The male crocodile usually measure from 3.5 to 5 meters (11-16 feet) in length, but very old, mature ones can grow up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) or more. Like all crocodiles they are sexually dimorphic, with males being larger up to 30% of women, although the difference. Even in some species, such as the saltwater crocodile Mature Nile crocodiles measure 2.4 to 4 m (7 ft 1 in 10-13 ft). Weight typical Nile crocodile is 225-500 kg (500-1100 pounds), although males of large size up to 750 kg (1,700 lb) can be in the crowd.

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Gila Monster

The Gila monster in southwestern United States and Mexico, a series of Sonora, Arizona, parts of California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico (but not Baja California) is included. Forest Point Live Oak desert succulent and seek protection in caves, thickets, and under rocks in locations with easy access to moisture. In fact Gila monsters seem like water and diving to see in the pool after a summer rain to avoid living in open areas such as houses and agricultural land is estimated that 95% Gila monster spending their time in mammals underground caves and rock shelters.

 

 

Gila monsters are slow to sprint in terms of capacity, but have a relatively high strength and aerobic (VO2max) for a lizard. Young people generally have the greatest bands of pink scales than adults, although the Gila monster has bands (see H. cinctum) a tendency to keep the number of bands. suspectum sexual maturity at 3-5 years.After spawning, adult Gila monsters gradually spend less time on the surface to avoid the hottest part of the summer (although they can active overnight), finally out of hibernation around November. E 'men was observed.

 

 

Higher flow rate than aerobics women, presumably because of sexual selection for a distinct advantage while fighting The Gila monster can live up to 20 years in the wild or in captivity 30 Urban sprawl and habitat destruction has adversely affected the Gila monster numbers. It is protected as a result of Arizona Gila Monster and Nevada State lawit illegal to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect the Gila Monster.

Gila Monsters are listed as near threatened by the IUCN in 1963, the San Diego Zoo is the first zoo to successfully breed Gila Monster was in captivity. Though the Gila Monster toxic, their movement causes behind that pose a risk to humans. between Indian tribes had believed Gila Monster is a mixed position. Conversely, Seri and Yaqui believed that skin Gila monster had healing properties Gila Monster has also played the role of a monster in a B movie, The Giant Gila Monster.

Los myths that the animal breathes enough poison to kill people or can spit poison or jump several feet into the air to attack poorly. The official mascot of the Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona, Gila Hank, a gunman, wearing cowboy hat Gila monster is. The Gila monster feeds on small birds, mammals, frogs, lizards, insects, and carrion. The Gila monster feeds primarily on bird and reptile eggs, and eats infrequently (only five to ten times a year in the wild), but when it does feed, it may eat up to one-third of its body mass.

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Black Mamba

The adult mamba is olive brown, gray, or sometimes khaki. A young snake is lighter, but not light enough to be confused with the different species of green mambas. The inside of the mouth is dark blue to black everything. The longest measured scientifically wild caught black mamba recorded was 4.48 meters (14.7 feet), which is in Zimbabwe. Adult body subtle but powerful black mamba "can typically weigh 1.6 to 3.1 kg (3.5 to 6.8 kg.) No sexual dimorphism, snakes and real males and females of this species have a species Similar in appearance and tend to be of similar size. has the second longest venomous snake in the world, surpassed only by the length of the cobra.
 

Black mamba Credit

Distribution Western The black mamba contains gaps in the Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria and Mali. black mamba is suitable for a wide variety of climates, savannah, forests, farmland, rocky hills, dense forests and swamps wetlands. prairie and savanna woodland / shrubs that extend all the way south and east of Central Africa and West East and Africa Southern are the typical habitat of the black mamba. The snake prefers outcrops in arid, semi-arid and dry savanna like, light wood, and rocks. thick black mambas make use of abandoned termite mounds and hollow trees for refuge.
 

A long distances the black mamba can travel 11-19 km / h (6.8 to 12 mph), but it can reach a speed of 16-20 km / h (9.9 to 12 mph) over short distances, and was registered at a speed of 23 km / h (14 mph), making it the fastest land snake in the world. territory is a black mamba snake, have a house in general in favor of a termite abandoned tree hollow or a newspaper, or a crack in the rock. Even if a snake is generally shy and reserved (often trying to escape when a shock), when cornered, the black mamba can put a formidable defense demonstration and aggression. many experts have cited the black mamba snake snake as aggressive in the world, given the tendency to actively attack without provocation.

You can see an amazing amount of tenacity, courage and the aggression when cornered, during the breeding season or when it comes to defending their territory, according born Swaziland snake and snake handler Thea Litschka-Koen expert."Black Mambas kill a dog or multiple dogs if it feels threatened and it happens very often.  Snakes crossed the garden when he was attacked by dogs. strike defensive bite all dogs come to us.'s snake bite him in several places on your body as well and died a week later. "Similarly, black mamba, were to confront witnesses, bite and kill lions and other large predators such as hyenas and leopards in the defense of their territory, eggs, or when predators are among snakes and their prey.
 

Black Mambas reproduce once a year. Agonistic behavior of the black mamba is the fight in which opponents attempt to resolve the other head against the floor repeatedly. Beyond mating, males and females do not have male interaction find a suitable female, following a trail scent. Women prefer to wear as abandoned termite mounds. Mature females lay 15-25 eggs, which are very well hidden and save aggressively.

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Saltwater Crocodile

The saltwater crocodile is one of the three crocodiles in India, the other two are the most common, mugger crocodile and less narrow snout, fish eating Gharial. In addition to the east coast of India, is the saltwater crocodile is extremely rare in the Indian subcontinent. A huge population of saltwater crocodiles (consisting of many large adults, including a 7 meter male) is located inside the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary of Orissa and they are known for.

 

Saltwater Crocodile Credit

In northern Italy (contains the northernmost regions of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland) the Saltwater Crocodile is thriving, particularly in the basins closer to Darwin (as Adelaide, Mary and Daly Rivers, along with their billabong and adjacent estuaries) where large (six-meter +) individuals are not uncommon. The population of saltwater crocodiles in Australia estimated anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 adults.

 

In Australia, the species with the smaller freshwater crocodile or Johnston muzzle close co-exist. Alligator Rivers Region Arnhem Land is the similarity of the Saltwater Crocodile Alligator misleading freshwater crocodiles, which also inhabit the Northern Territory respect. There are overlapping area with Guinea crocodile rarer, less aggressive New. The saltwater crocodile was historically found in South-East Asia, but is now extinct in much of this area.

 

Probably the only country in Indochina still harbors wild populations of this species is Myanmar. Despite the proximity to the crocodile hot-bed of northern Australia, crocodiles no longer exist in Bali. A small population in Ujung Kulon National Park remain in West Java. The saltwater crocodile is also very limited in parts of the South Pacific, with an average population in the Solomon Islands, a very small population, and soon in Vanuatu (where the population is officially only three) (extinct and decent, but the population at risk may rebounds) in Palau.

 

Saltwater crocodiles once ranged as far west as the east coast of Africa, the Seychelles. These crocodiles once believed to be a population of Nile crocodiles, but were later proven to be Crocodylus porosus. Because of their tendency to travel long distances at sea, individual saltwater crocodiles occasionally occur in areas that are not indigenous. In late 2008 and early 2009, a handful of wild saltwater crocodiles are been verified reported in the Fraser River systems Iceland, hundreds of miles live by, and the water is much colder than its Queensland range normally.

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Burmese Python

Burmese pythons are dark brown spots with black edge on the back of many snakes. The trend is the same color, but different in its current African Rock Python (Python sebae), sometimes resulting in confusion of the two species outside their natural habitat. In the wild, Burmese pythons reach 3.7 meters (12 feet) on average, while specimens of more than 4 meters (13 feet) are rare. In general, people of more than 5 meters are rare. The maximum record length Burmese Python is owned by a woman named "Baby," who lived in Serpent Safari in Gurnee, Illinois, 27 years.

Bali reach an average length of 2 meters (6.6 feet) and Sulawesi up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet). The Burmese python is found throughout the south and south-east of East Asia, such as India, Nepal, Bhutan West, Southeast Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam northern peninsular Malaysia, far south of China ( Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi and Yunnan), Hong Kong and Indonesia Java, South Sulawesi, Bali and Sumbawa. Burmese pythons have also been reported Kinmen, near China, but the territory of Taiwan, Burmese Python belongs to the flora of Taiwan in Taiwan refers to the Republic of China, but not in Taiwan.

 

The python is an excellent swimmer and needs a permanent source of water. Burmese pythons are inhabitants of tropical forests, especially at night. Burmese pythons spend most of their time hidden in the underbrush. Winter Rest is biologically distinct from hibernation. Controversy exists whether the Burmese subspecies can brumate. Burmese Pythons breed in the spring, with females laying clutches which are an average of 12-36 eggs in March or April. Once the children use their egg tooth to leave their eggs, no other maternal care. Like all snakes, Burmese pythons are carnivores.

Their diet consists mainly of birds and mammals of sufficient size. The snake uses its sharp teeth pointing to seize its prey, then wraps its body around the prey, while the muscles, killing the prey by constriction. Burmese pythons are often sold as pets, and was famous for its color and nature seemingly tolerant. However, these animals have a rapid growth, and often exceed 2.1 meters (7 feet) in length in a year if cared for and well fed.

Moreover, consuming large amounts of food, and for their size, require large, often custom, safety cabinets, which can be very expensive. A problem with the secondary energy Burmese pythons is that many owners believe if a snake is hungry fed. As Burmese pythons are opportunistic feeders, they will eat almost any food when offered, and often act hungry even after eating recently. A three-meter long Burmese python can easily kill a child [and five meters (about 16.5 feet) Burmese python is certainly capable of hitting and killing an adult.

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Green Sea Turtle

Adult green turtles grow to 1.5 meters (5 feet) long. Anatomically, to distinguish the green turtle from the other members of his family. The back of the head of the turtle has a pair of prefrontal scales. Below, the green turtle has four pairs of infra-marginal shields the area between the plastron and shield. The shell of the turtle has various color patterns that change over time. Baby C. Mydas, like those of other sea turtles, have mostly black carapaces and light-colored masks.

Shells children are dark olive brown, while those of mature adults are entirely brown, spotted or rays of multicolored marble. Under, the plastron of the turtle is yellow. CIn the Caribbean, the main nesting sites have been identified on Aves Island, the Virgin Islands of the United States, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica In recent years, there are signs of increased nesting in the Cayman Islands.
 

In U.S. waters, were breeding grounds observed in the smaller states of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and along the east coast of Florida. Hutchinson Island, in particular, a nesting area in Florida waters. In the South Atlantic, the main areas chelonia mydas nesting on the island of Ascension, hosts turtle nests from 6.000 to 13.000. Key areas feeding in Florida: Indian River Lagoon, the Florida Keys, Florida Bay, Homosassa, Crystal River and Cedar Key.

Green turtles move about three habitat types, depending on the position of their lives. They lay their eggs on the beaches. Adult turtles spend most of their time in shallow coastal waters with lush seagrass beds. Green turtles usually swim 2.5 -3 kmh (06:01 to 09:01 mph). Only human beings and the larger sharks feed on C. Chelonia adults. Specifically, tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) hunt adults in Hawaiian waters.
 

 

Green turtles migrate long distances between feeding and breeding grounds, some swim more than 2600 km (1600 miles) away. At the spawning grounds Adult turtles often return to the exact beach where they were born. The Guyana nest nesting subpopulation from March to June in the tropics, green turtles nest throughout the year, although some subpopulations prefer particular times of the year. In Pakistan, Indian Ocean turtles nest year-round, but prefer the months of July to December.

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Leopard Frog

A leopard frog (sometimes called a meadow frog) can mean any frog of about 14 species within the true frog genus. They are generally similarly colored green with prominent black spotting that sometimes appears as a leopard pattern. They are distinguished by their distribution and certain rather subtle ecological, behavioral, morphological and genetic traits.

Their range in the North-American subcontinent extends throughout temperate and subtropical North America to northern Mexico, with some species found even further south. They are also found in Europe. Leopard frogs (meadow frogs) were often grouped with the American bullfrog and relatives in the genus Lithobates. Lithobates, however, is no longer recognized as a genus by most authors.

The leopard frog is quite large species of frogs, reaching about 11 cm (4.3 inches) in length. This varies from green to brown back, with large dark round spots on the back, hips and legs. The belly is white or pale green. Tadpoles are dark brown or gray, with patches of light on the background. The tail is brown. Leopard frog has several color variations. The most common is the green and brown morph morph. There is none other than the Burnside morph morph known.

You can have bright green and yellow or brown dorsal folds. Leopard Frog pipens albinism also appears in this sense, but it is very rare. Leopard frogs have a wide range of habitats. Leopard frog breeds in spring (March-June). Up to 6500 eggs in the water and tadpoles complete development in pond culture. Tadpoles are light brown with black spots, and development takes 70-110 days, depending on conditions. Metamorphic frogs are 2-3 cm (0.79 to 1.2 inches) long and resemble adults.

Many populations of the leopard frog has not yet recovered from these declines. Leopard frogs are eaten by many animals, including snakes, raccoons, other frogs and even people. No unsightly skin secretions occur and rely on speed to escape the bag. Feed a variety of animals including crickets, flies, worms and small frogs. This species is similar to the frog (Rana palustris) and southern leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala). The leopard frog product specific ribonuclease eggs.

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Alligator Snapping Turtle

The largest freshwater turtles, the caiman found mainly in the southeastern United States waters. You are in East Texas, east of the Florida peninsula and north to southern Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, south-eastern, western Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky and Tennessee found. Typically only nesting females will venture on open ground. The Alligator Snapping Turtle is a large, heavy head and long, thick shell with three dorsal fins, large scales (osteoderms), a primitive appearance reminiscent of some of the plated dinosaurs.

Snapping immediately distinguish between three different files pins and plates embossed on the carapace, while the loggerhead turtle has a soft shell. There is an unverified report of a (400 pounds) Snapping Turtle found in Kansas in 1937, 183 kg, but most can be controlled questionable. Were weighed at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago was a resident giant alligator snapping turtle weighing 16,113 kilograms (250 pounds).

Adult turtles Alligator usually ranging in length from 40.4 to 80.8 centimeters shell (15.9 to 31.8 inches) and a weight of 68-80 kg (150-180 lbs). Males are larger than females in general. Among the freshwater turtles, only reaching giant softshell turtle Chitra and unusual way Rafetus Pelochelys, native to Asia, comparable size. The basis of man's cock is thicker than women, because the reproductive organs hidden. Turtle Hunting property in the water with his mouth open.

The vermiform tongue imitates the movements of a worm to attract prey to the mouth of the turtle. The mouth is closed with great speed and force, completing the ambush. Contrary to claims that Alligator Snapping Turtles, the strength of the strongest bite of all animals was at 158 ± 18 Kg Strength registered (1550 ± 180 N, 350 ± 40 lbf), which is lower than that of other species of turtles and approximately the same level of people in relation to the size of the body of the turtle. However, these turtles must be handled with extreme care as potentially dangerous.

No human deaths have been reported to be caused by alligator snapping turtles. The fishermen have the ability of species to bring glorified fish and fish stocks, while in reality is largely abundant and easy to catch prey available for each and rarely have a negative effect on huge stocks of fish. Their natural diet consists mainly of fish and carcasses of dead fish (which are often thrown into the sea Fishing), mollusks, carrion, and amphibians, as well known, snakes, eat crabs, worms, aquatic birds, turtles and other aquatic plants.

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Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae ("pit vipers"). There are 32 known species of rattlesnake, with between 65-70 subspecies, all native to the Americas, ranging from southern Alberta and southern British Columbia in Canada to Central Argentina.

Rattlesnake Credit

Rattlesnakes are predators who live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small animals such as birds and rodents. They kill their prey with a venomous bite, rather than by constricting. All rattlesnakes possess a set of fangs with which they inject large quantities of hemotoxic venom. The venom travels through the bloodstream, destroying tissue and causing swelling, internal bleeding, and intense pain.

Venomous snake

Some species, such as the Tiger Rattlesnake and the Mojave Rattlesnake, additionally possess a neurotoxic component in their venom that causes paralysis and other nervous symptoms. The threat of envenomation, advertised by the loud shaking of the titular noisemaker ("rattle") at the end of their tail, deters many predators. However, rattlesnakes fall prey to hawks, weasels, king snakes, and a variety of other species.

Snake

Rattlesnakes are heavily preyed upon as neonates, while they are still weak and mentally immature. Very large numbers of rattlesnakes are killed by humans. Rattlesnake populations in many areas are severely threatened by habitat destruction, poaching, and extermination campaigns. Rattlesnake bites are the leading cause of snakebite injuries in North America.

Rattlesnake Credit

However, rattlesnakes rarely bite unless provoked or threatened; and if treated promptly, the bites are rarely fatal. Rattlesnakes receive their name from the rattle located at the end of their tails, which, when shaken, makes a loud rattling noise that deters predators or serves as a warning to passersby. The scientific name Crotalus derives from the Greek, κρόταλον, meaning "castanet".

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King Cobra

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 18.5 to 18.8 ft (5.6 to 5.7 m). This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia. Despite the word "cobra" in its name, this snake is not a member of Naja ("true cobras") but belongs to its own genus.

Cobra Image source

The king cobra is considered to be a dangerous snake and has a fearsome reputation in its range, although it typically avoids confrontation with humans if possible. It is also considered culturally significant and has many superstitions around it. The king cobra averages at 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13.1 ft) in length and typically weighs about 6 kg (13 lb).

The longest known specimen was kept captive at the London Zoo, and grew to around 18.5 to 18.8 ft (5.6 to 5.7 m) before being euthanised upon the outbreak of World War II. The heaviest wild specimen was caught at Royal Island Club in Singapore in 1951, which weighed 12 kilograms (26 lb) and measured 4.8 m (16 ft), though an even heavier captive specimen was kept at New York Zoological Park and was measured as 12.7 kilograms (28 lb) at 4.4 m (14 ft) long in 1972.

King Cobra Image source

The length and mass of the snakes highly depend on their localities and some other factors. Despite their large sizes, typical king cobras are fast and agile. Some viper species, such as Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and Gaboon vipers, often much shorter in length but bulkier in build, rival the King cobra in average weight and reportedly best them in maximum weight.

King Cobra Snake Image source

The skin of this snake is either olive-green, tan, or black, and it has faint, pale yellow cross bands down the length of the body.  The king cobra is the sole member of genus Ophiophagus, while most other cobras are members of the genus Naja. They can be distinguished from other cobras by size and hood. King cobras are generally larger than other cobras, and the stripe on the neck is a chevron instead of a double or single eye shape that may be seen in most of the other Asian cobras.

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Garter snake

The garter snake is a colubrid snake genus (Thamnophis) common across North America, ranging from the Alaskan Panhandle to Central America. It is the single most widely distributed genus of reptiles in North America[citation needed]. The garter snake is also the Massachusetts state reptile. With no real consensus on the classification of species of Thamnophis, disagreement among taxonomists.

Garter snakes spread throughout North America. The common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) is the only species of snake to be found in Alaska, and is one of the northernmost species of snake in the world, possibly second only to the crossed viper, Vipera berus. The genus is as far ranging due to its less discriminant diet and adaptability to different biomes and landforms, with varying proximity to water.

Garter snakes, like all snakes, are carnivorous. Their diets consist of almost any creature they are capable of overpowering: slugs, earthworms, leeches, lizards, amphibians, ants, crickets, frog eggs, toads, and rodents. When living near water, they will eat other aquatic animals. The ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) in particular favors frogs (including tadpoles), readily eating them despite their strong chemical defenses.

Food is swallowed whole. Garter snakes often adapt to eating whatever they can find, and whenever, because food can be scarce or abundant. Although they feed mostly upon live animals, they will sometimes eat eggs. Garter snakes have complex systems of pheromonal communication. They can find other snakes by following their pheromone-scented trails.

Male and female skin pheromones are so different as to be immediately distinguishable. However, male garter snakes sometimes produce both male and female pheromones. During mating season, this ability fools other males into attempting to mate with them. This causes the transfer of heat to them in kleptothermy, which is an advantage immediately after hibernation, allowing them to become more active.

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