… THE MOST POISONOUS SNAKE IN THE WORLD IS SHY?
The Inland Taipan lives in Australia and is considered calm and shy. However, one drop of its poison can kill 100 people or 250,000 rats. The Inland Taipan eats small mammals. It can be up to three metres long. It is often found in desert areas.

… IN BRAZIL, THE MOST VENOMOUS SNAKE IS THE CORAL SNAKE?
It is a distant cousin of the Taipan and does not attack humans often because its mouth is small. The
Rattlesnake is the second most poisonous snake. The Viper from the Amazon is the third. Among the most poisonous snakes, the snake that most bites is the Pit Viper. It can be found all over the country.

… WHEN IT STICKS ITS TONGUE OUT, THE SNAKE WANTS TO SMELL?
The odor particles attach themselves to the snake’s tongue and transmit smells to the sensory organ in the palate.

THAN A TONNE?
The Titanoboa (titanic boa), which lived 58 million years ago, weighed 1,5 tonnes and could be up to 14 metres long.

… POISONOUS BRAZILIAN VIPERS ARE THE RAREST?
The country has close to 370 species of snakes. Of these 55 or 15% are venomous, which means
that they produce venom that kills.

… THERE ARE VENOMS THAT ARE USED TO MAKE MEDICINE?
The poison of the pit viper, for example, is used to make Captopril, a medicine that treats hypertension (high blood pressure).

…. THE SECOND HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF SNAKES IN THE WORLD IS IN THE STATE OF SÃO PAULO?
In the island of Queimada Grande, there are five serpents per square metre. There are 2,500 Golden
Lancehead snakes in total. The island was formed 11,000 years ago. The sea level rose and the hill
where the snakes lived became surrounded by water.

QUESTIONS – level 1

1. The text states that:

a. All snakes are poisonous.
b. Snake poison can be used to make medicine.
c. The Rattlesnake is the most poisonous snake in the world.
d. Snakes cannot smell.

2. What else do you know about snakes?