Slange

Slange is the Danish and Norwegian term for snakes, the limbless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes within the order Squamata. Snakes are characterized by an elongated, legless body, a skin covered with scales, and highly flexible jaws that allow them to swallow prey whole. They vary greatly in size, from small worm snakes to large constrictors and sea snakes.

They are ectothermic predators, relying on external heat sources to regulate body temperature. Snakes detect prey mainly through chemical cues gathered with their forked tongue and Jacobson’s organ, supplemented by vision and, in some lineages, heat-sensing pits. They shed their skin periodically as they grow.

Snakes inhabit a wide range of habitats across most continents and many islands, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and aquatic environments. They are absent from Antarctica and most arid polar regions. Some lineages are marine, such as sea snakes and sea kraits, adapted to life in saltwater.

Most snakes are carnivorous, feeding on vertebrates, eggs, and occasionally invertebrates. Prey capture methods vary: constrictors coil around prey, while venomous snakes use venom to immobilize or kill. Reproduction also varies; many species lay eggs (oviparous), others give birth to live young (viviparous), with minimal parental care after laying or birthing.

Humans interact with snakes in many ways. They control rodent populations and are part of many ecosystems, but venomous snakes can pose health risks. Protection and conservation efforts exist in numerous regions to safeguard wild snake populations.