I love animals - Reading, a story and questions for small kids - Part 48 Venomous snakes

There are many snakes on Earth and a lot of them are non-venomous or do not have enough venom that will be able to hurt or kill a human if they bite you, but there are snakes that are very dangerous and can kill you in a short time.

There are about 700 species of snakes that are venomous, but only 250 of them are able to kill a human with its poison.

The venomous snake has special glands in its mouth that gives off the poison and the teeth are special because the poison can move through it and be delivered to the animal or human that is bitten.

If you are ever bitten by a venomous snake, you have to be treated as soon as possible with an anti venom.  Some of the snakes' poison can contain a 'neurotoxin' which means it will attack your nervous system, can paralyze you and make your heart stop.

Taipans are large Australian snakes that have high levels of venom.  Australian brown snakes are highly dangerous and easily alarmed.  Sea snakes are some of the most venomous in the world.  Coral snakes are highly venomous but not usually aggressive, only biting as a last resort.  Vipers have long, hollow fangs used to inject venom.

• Find a picture of each of these snakes.
• Find out which snakes you will find in the area/country you live and which ones are venomous.

A cobra is a dangerous snake and can strike very fast.  If they are going to attack, they flatten their heads and lift it up.  The King Cobra can grow up to 5.6 m long and it is the longest snake in the world that are venomous.

Most snakes attack when they are scared or trapped or stepped on.  They do not just go around and randomly attack humans.  They will use their venom when hunting or for protection,

The rattlesnake even warns you if you come too close by rattling its tail to make a sound.  In North America, most people are bitten by this snake, so it does not look like they listen to the snake's warning.

The fastest snake on Earth is the 'Black Mamba' and it is called that because of the inside of its mouth which is black.

• You can read more on snakes here.
• Watch the video on a Hindi story of a snake and a farmer and answer the questions.

1. What was wrong on the farmer's farm?
2. Why did the farmer think his farm was dry?
3. What did he bring for the snake?
4. What did the farmer find in the bowl the next day?
5. What did the boy think when he saw the gold coin and what did he decide to do?
6. What happened when the boy hit the snake?

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