SERPENT

A serpent is a limbless, elongated reptile that belongs to the order Squamata, which also includes lizards. The term "serpent" is often used interchangeably with "snake," and it typically refers to species adapted to a variety of habitats, from forests and deserts to aquatic environments. Serpents are characterized by their slender, flexible bodies, lack of limbs, and a highly mobile spine that facilitates slithering movement.

Most serpents possess scaly skin, a forked tongue used for chemical sensing, and specialized jaws capable of swallowing prey much larger than their head. Their sensory systems often include infrared detectors in some species, such as pit vipers, enabling them to sense heat signatures. Many serpents are venomous, utilizing venom delivered through fangs to immobilize or kill prey, while others rely on constriction or mimicry.

Serpents play important roles in ecosystems as predators, helping regulate populations of rodents, insects, and other small animals. They exhibit a range of reproductive strategies, including oviparity (egg-laying) and ovoviviparity (live birth). Their life cycles and behaviors vary widely among species, with some being diurnal and others nocturnal.

Throughout history, serpents have held symbolic significance in various cultures, often representing dual themes of danger and renewal. They appear in mythology, religious texts, and art worldwide, embodying concepts from fertility and healing to evil and temptation.

Serpents are found on nearly every continent except Antarctica, with species diversity highest in tropical regions. Despite their often fearsome reputation, they generally pose minimal threat to humans and are protected by conservation laws in many areas due to habitat loss and persecution.