A snake in the grass - referring to one who is devious. Snakes are no such creatures. It is one of the most captivating animal. My younger day encounters with snakes were numerous. At that age it was actually fun to kill them on sight. Most of the time the poor rat snakes fell prey to the sticks. Cobras were immediately dispatched. Occasional encounters with the snake charmers made me realize that snakes are very fragile after all. Worn out snakes in the crude baskets taken out to perform their usual swaying movements, following the flute. Their lunges were weak too. These creatures should be left to their jobs - catching rats.

Plunging into books I came to know that snakes were highly evolved creatures. They have adapted to various environments with great efficiency. One of the snake products, venom contain highly compelx proteins
and bioactive substances. Lot of work is done to find out how it can be beneficial for man. But Man tend to kill indiscriminately for their skins, supposed medicinal properties and sport. Snakes farms exists for skin trade. In south east asia, they are killed because for their aphrodisiac qualities. Gall bladder and blood concoctions are drunk to enhance sexual potency. Now most of the snakes are in the endangered lists. By  destroying their habitats we eventually kill them too.
 

THE MOST POISONOUS OF THEM ALL

The Western Africa deserts are inhabited by the Carpet Viper (Echis carinatus)
which has accounted for the deaths of  thousands of people every year.
In Indian Monocled cobra (Naja naja), Russell's Viper (Vipera Russelli)
accounts for many deaths as well. In America it is the Rattle Snakes and in Africa, the Mamba.
Do these snakes have the most dangerous venom?
These snakes are numerous and inhabit near human settlements. That is why many deaths occur.

In terms of venomous toxicity, the most dangerous snake is the Inland Taipan(Oxyuranus microlepidotus).
It is from Australia.
Next comes the Common Brown snake(Pseudonaja textilis),
Taipan(Oxyuranus scutellatus), Tiger snake (Notechis ater tiger)
Reevesby Island Tiger snake (Notechis ater niger) Death adder(Acanthopis antarticus)
All these snakes are from Australia.
These snakes are not aggressive and reside far away from human populations.
 

THE LONGEST SNAKE EVER RECORDED

It is the RETICULATED PYTHON (Python reticulatus).Grows up to 30+ feet.

THE HEAVIEST SNAKE

The ANACONDA (Eunectes murinus), weighs up to 130kgs and sometimes grows up to 20 feet. Lots of myth surrounds it's length.

SNAKES THAT EAT OTHER SNAKES

The CALIFORNIA KING SNAKE (Lampropeltis getulus californiae) which eats Rattle snakes.
The FLORIDA KING SNAKE (Lampropeltis getulus floridana)  which eats highly venomous copperheads and coral snakes
The INDIGO SNAKE (Drymarchon corais) which eats Cottonmouths and Rattle snakes
The RACER (Coluber constrictor)
The WESTERN WHIP SNAKE (Coluber viridiflavus) eats Vipers
The KING COBRA (Ophiophagus hannah) whose special dish includes other snakes. The only snake in the world to build an elaborate nest.
 

MASSIVE FANGS

It is up to 5 cm and belongs to the GABOON VIPER ( Bitis gabonica)