Snakes around the world, well some of the world

 

The post for today is about which country has the most snake species, and it is Mexico with 438 known species. This is due to the multiple climate zones from arid deserts to humid jungles; there is also two major coastlines and there are mountains.

The types of snakes include rattlesnakes, coral snakes, vipers, boas, sea snakes as well as dozens of tiny burrowing species.

Since many of my readers are in the States, I will add that there are about 100 native snake species of those 100 only 22 are venomous, these consist of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and coral snakes the only state that has no snakes is Alaska.

Moving on to the U K over there you will find only 3 native snakes and one established non-native snake. They are the Adder the UK’s only venomous snake found across England, Scotland and Wales, the Grass Snake and the Smooth Snake which is very rare and protected. The Aesculapian Snake is the non-native snake found in London and the north & south of Wales.

Lastly for those in Canada there are 25 native snakes these belong to three families the Colubridae the most common, Viperidae think rattlesnake and the Boidae rubber boa.

Because of the cold climate, snakes are concentrated in the southern parts of provinces such as: Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec

The Common Garter Snake is the most widespread and can even be found near the 60th parallel in the Northwest Territories.

Australia has 215 species, but we have the highest proportion of venomous snakes in the world.

Around 60% of Australian species are venomous, compared to ~17% globally.