Reptiles

The eastern indigo snake takes advantage of a unique shelter that provides much-needed protection to the endangered species and its young.

By Desiree Bowie & Mack Hayden

The green anaconda hunts both in water and on dry land, which is even scarier when you realize the snake is capable of eating prey larger than its own body.

By Desiree Bowie

The boa constrictor is a large, nonvenomous snake known for squeezing the life from its prey. They are not considered to be at a high risk of extinction.

By Desiree Bowie

The Burmese python is a solitary and nocturnal creature, but it's become an invasive species in Florida as a result of the exotic pet trade.

By Desiree Bowie

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the longest venomous snake in the world and is one of the few snake species to make a nest for its eggs.

By Desiree Bowie

Pythons, the longest snakes in the world, are nonvenomous with a lethal squeeze. These snakes constrict their prey before devouring the meal.

By Desiree Bowie

One of the largest crocodiles ever was so big that one website called the species "bus-sized."

By Yara Simón

Just one bite from any of these venomous snakes could cost you your life. They're some of the deadliest snakes in the world and you don't want to mess with them.

By Sharise Cunningham & Mack Hayden

A new study dispels the myth that snakes are deaf to airborne sounds and reveals that different species react differently to the sounds they hear.

By Christina N. Zdenek

While you may not want to encounter one on a hike, there's no denying that snakes are magnificent creatures — no matter how big or small they are. But when it comes to the biggest snakes in the world, nature truly knows no bounds.

By Mark Mancini, Nicole Antonio & Desiree Bowie

Turtles, whether giant land tortoises, sea turtles or the pet turtle in your aquarium, tend to be omnivores and love a varied vegetarian and protein diet.

By Laurie L. Dove

Welcome to the wild, wild world of dual penises, delayed fertilization, mama python incubators and springtime "mating balls."

By Mark Mancini

If you're looking for the venomous timber rattler, the U.S. is the place to be, as these bad boys are found in at least 27 states.

By Mark Mancini

Often confused with the venomous coral snake, which advertises its toxicity through bright bands of color, the milk snake is harmless to humans.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

Pit vipers also carry venom in twin glands behind their eyes, delivered through movable fangs that can be folded up against the roof of their mouth.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

These snakes are some of the best reptilian actors you'll ever meet, but don't let the act fool you.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

To some, the thought of snakes flying through the air is the scariest thought imaginable, but, as we'll explain, flying snakes don't actually fly, they "fall with style."

By Mark Mancini

Despite their name, rat snakes don't eat just rodents. This huge family of snakes, which lives on every continent except Antarctica, also eats lizards and amphibians.

By Mark Mancini & Zach Taras

While the black mamba possesses a lethal bite and formidable hunting skills, the snake's size and speed fall short of its legendary reputation.

By Desiree Bowie

There are more than 50 species of snakes that live in the seas. Some are super venomous and they can zip through the water with ease.

By Mark Mancini & Talon Homer

The prehistoric-looking alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America and has a bite that, it's said, can snap a wooden broom handle in half.

By Mark Mancini

A new species of green pit viper found in India has been named after the founder of Harry Potter's Slytherin house.

By Patty Rasmussen

They both have prehistoric looking shells and squatty legs, but how are they different?

By Jesslyn Shields

The green anaconda is the largest of the anaconda species, which makes it arguably the biggest snake in the world.

By Mark Mancini

From its small size to its docile nature and long life span, the spotted python fills the bill as a great family pet. Our writer should know, he's got one.

By Mark Mancini