Automatically translated. This page was translated automatically from German and has not been reviewed by our editors.Show original

Other animals

Snake

Snake · Serpentes

Snakes move silently through the landscape and surprise with their colourful appearance, patterns and mysterious behaviour.

Fact file

Size: Depending on the species between 15 cm and well over 2 m long, weight varies greatly
Males and females: Differences between males and females are often hard to recognise, usually in size or tail shape
Sounds: Mostly silent, some species give a loud hissing warning
Diet: Feeds on small mammals, amphibians, birds, eggs, insects or other reptiles
Offspring: Depending on the species, either eggs are laid or live young are born, mostly from late spring to summer

How to identify Snake

Snakes are fascinating animals without limbs and impress with their diversity: their range extends from slender, flexible bodies to powerful, stocky forms. Their skin shows different patterns such as stripes, spots or netting and varies in colour from earthy browns and greens to strong reds and bright yellows.

Many species shed their skin once a year. The head of the snake often appears wedge-shaped and in some species the eyes and nostrils are strikingly positioned. The usually narrow, long body allows smooth movement through grass, scree or over branches. Some species have a distinctive, clearly defined head or conspicuous tail tips.