Fossil Snakes

There are many Fossil Snakes in Florida. The word snake comes from the word form meaning “to crawl”. They are closely related to lizards and are cold-blooded, but without legs. Unlike most lizards that have movable eyelids and tiny external ears, snakes have no external ears and have clear fixed scales to protect their eyes.

Evolving from lizard-like creatures, the fossil evidence for snakes is weak. Some fossil evidence suggests that they evolved directly from a burrowing lizard. Losing its two legs it became streamlined for burrowing.

They live in almost all habitats and most are harmless to humans. Three families have evolved venom and have hollow teeth, called fangs, that can deliver venom in a bite.

They are all carnivores, eating small rodents and mammals, along with other snakes and lizards, plus insects, birds and eggs. They swallow their food whole and have a very flexible lower jaw.

The largest of these modern reptiles may be the Anaconda of South America, reaching lengths of 33ft (10M) and weighing up to 550lbs. (250kg).

Snake Fossils for Sale