Wildlife Guide · Worldwide except Antarctica, Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand
Snake
Suborder Serpentes — ~3,900 species across most continents except Antarctica
Legless reptiles of land and water — diverse, often misunderstood and ecologically vital.
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In brief
Snakes are legless reptiles (suborder Serpentes) with about 3,900 species worldwide — mostly harmless, ecologically important predators whose conservation status varies; this hub is distinct from species guides like the grass snake.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
Snakes are legless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes, with roughly 3,900 species on every continent except Antarctica. They range from threadsnakes smaller than a pencil to reticulated pythons exceeding six metres. Most are harmless to humans; a minority possess venom used primarily to subdue prey. Snakes control rodent and amphibian populations, serve as prey for raptors and mammals, and occupy roles from desert burrower to rainforest canopy dweller. This page is a general snake hub — distinct from species-specific guides such as the grass snake.
3,900+
Recognised snake species
~600
Venomous species (most medically significant ~200)
20%
Rough share of snake species threatened
CITES
Many species regulated in international trade
Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — reptile assessments, Smithsonian National Zoo — reptiles, Encyclopaedia Britannica — snake and other references on this page.
Snake: Quick Facts
| Species count | ~3,900 worldwide |
|---|---|
| Venomous | ~600 species; ~200 medically significant |
| Limbs | Absent (vestigial spurs in some boas/pythons) |
| Diet | Carnivorous — prey swallowed whole |
| Distinct guide | Grass snake (European species) |
| Main threats | Habitat loss, roads, persecution |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Suborder | Serpentes |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status
- No single IUCN category applies. An estimated 20 percent of snake species are threatened; many lack formal assessment.
- Population
- Varies by species — from abundant to fewer than 100 individuals
- Trend
- Decreasing for many forest and wetland species
- Assessed
- Varies (IUCN Red List ongoing)
- CITES
- Many species on CITES Appendix I or II, especially pythons and rare colubrids
Snakes receive less conservation funding than charismatic mammals despite high extinction risk in some groups.
Key Facts: Snake
- Most snakes are non-venomous and avoid humans; only a fraction of species pose serious bite risk.
- This hub covers snakes generally — see WARN's grass snake guide for that European species.
- Snakes shed skin in one piece, expand jaws to swallow prey whole and smell with their tongues.
- Habitat loss, road mortality and persecution are major threats globally.
- Snakes are not suitable pets for most owners — many species have precise temperature and dietary needs.
- Fear-driven killing removes beneficial rodent controllers from farms and ecosystems.
What is a snake — and how does it differ from other reptiles?
Snakes evolved from legged lizard ancestors, retaining some with tiny vestigial hind limbs in boas and pythons. The elongated body, lack of eyelids and external ears, and single row of ventral scales define serpentine locomotion — lateral undulation, rectilinear crawling in tight spaces and sidewinding on sand. All snakes are carnivorous, swallowing prey whole thanks to loosely articulated jaws and stretchable skin. They detect vibrations through jaw bones, heat pits in pit vipers and boas, and chemical cues via forked tongues delivering scent to the vomeronasal organ. This guide is a hub for snakes as a group. WARN publishes separate pages for particular species — for example the grass snake of Europe — when regional search demand warrants dedicated coverage.
Venom, constriction and feeding
Venom evolved primarily for prey capture, not defence. Elapids — cobras, mambas, coral snakes — deliver neurotoxins; viperids — rattlesnakes, adders — often use haemotoxins. Colubrids include both harmless species and rear-fanged snakes with mild venom. Constrictors — pythons, boas, some colubrids — coil around prey, stopping blood flow rather than crushing bones. Prey size relative to snake girth determines diet: mice, eggs, fish, frogs or deer depending on species. Feeding frequency varies from weekly for small active snakes to monthly for large constrictors. Digestion demands warm temperatures; snakes bask to raise metabolic rate after meals.
Threats and conservation
The IUCN assesses roughly one in five snake species as threatened — often overlooked compared with mammals and birds. Deforestation, wetland drainage, roadkill and deliberate killing during snakebite panic reduce populations silently. Trade affects pythons for skins, rattlesnakes for rattles and exotic pets, and rare species for collectors. CITES lists numerous snakes on Appendix I or II. Snakebite envenoming kills tens of thousands yearly, mostly in tropical Asia and Africa. Fear drives persecution, yet medically important species deserve habitat protection alongside improved antivenom access — not indiscriminate extermination.
Snakes and people
Snakes feature in mythology worldwide — symbols of renewal, danger or medicine. Ecologically they reduce crop damage by controlling rodents; removing snakes often increases pest outbreaks. Responsible coexistence means learning local species, keeping yards clear of debris that attracts rodents, wearing boots in snake habitat and never killing non-venomous snakes out of fear. Relocation by trained handlers beats blunt instruments. WARN readers in Pakistan, Brazil and Colombia inhabit snake-rich regions where education reduces both bite risk and unnecessary killing. Wild snakes belong in functioning ecosystems, not sealed sacks in the pet trade.
Explore snake species on WARN
This page is the snake hub — for the suborder as a whole. WARN also publishes species-level guides for python, cobra, rattlesnake and anaconda, plus a dedicated European grass snake page and a twelve-species snake library linked from this guide. The species library covers ball pythons, king cobras, corn snakes, boas, green tree pythons, Burmese pythons and more — each with venom status, range, ecology and conservation notes. Use it to distinguish harmless colubrids from medically important vipers and elapids. Remember: most snakes you encounter are beneficial. Protect wetland and forest habitat in WARN partner countries and support antivenom access rather than eradication campaigns.
Snake Species Guide
From the ball python and king cobra to the corn snake, boa constrictor, rattlesnake and green anaconda — explore 12 of the world's most searched snake species with range, venom, ecology and conservation context.
Ball Python
West & Central Africa
Docile, nocturnal, defensive curl
Reticulated Python
South-east Asia
Powerful constrictor, aquatic when young
King Cobra
South & South-east Asia
Elapid, nest-guarding, iconic hood
Indian Cobra
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Venomous, hood display, synanthropic
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
South-western United States, Mexico
Venomous, rattling warning, ambush predator
Corn Snake
South-eastern United States
Docile colubrid, popular in captivity
Boa Constrictor
Central & South America
Slow constrictor, live-bearing
Green Tree Python
New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia
Arboreal, striking from branches
Burmese Python
South-east Asia
Powerful constrictor, invasive in Florida
Eastern Garter Snake
North America
Harmless, active, semi-aquatic
Green Anaconda
Amazon & Orinoco basins
Aquatic constrictor, heavy-bodied
Grass Snake
Europe, Western Asia
Harmless, semi-aquatic, plays dead
What WARN Does
WARN publishes free reptile education for readers in its partner-network countries — countries with rich snake faunas where misunderstanding drives persecution. This hub complements species-specific guides such as the grass snake page.
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.
Snake: Frequently Asked Questions
How many snake species are there?
Are most snakes venomous?
Is this page about grass snakes?
What do snakes eat?
Why are snakes important?
Where do snakes live?
Are snakes dangerous?
How long do snakes live?
How big is a snake?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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