The Biggest Heads of Snakes in the World

Snakes can be fascinating and misunderstood. These legless creatures can be found almost anywhere globally, and some even live in the ocean. New Zealand, Ireland, Greenland, Iceland and Antarctica are the only countries where there aren’t any snakes. Many people have Ophidiophobia (fear of serpents). However, snakes are essential to maintaining the Earth’s balance. Only 600 of the 3,000 snake species are venomous. There are many types of snakes, including the extinct 42-foot-long Titanoboa and the 3-inch-long Barbados Thread Snake. Some snakes also have unique heads that are larger than their bodies. These snakes have the largest heads in the world.

Cottonmouth Snake

The Cottonmouth Snake can be found in the southeast United States. The semiaquatic viper, a swimmer, mainly eats frogs and fish. It is often found near streams and marshes, and shallow lakes. Cottonmouth snakes are sometimes called swamp moccasins and swamp rattlers. This snake has a large head and a narrow neck. The cytotoxic venom of cottonmouth snakes can cause tissue destruction. Cottonmouth snakes will coil their bodies and open their mouth to show their large fangs when they feel threatened. The crossbands of cottonmouth snakes are dark, irregular, and wavy, with black edges that run along with their entire bodies. These markings may be brownish, brownish, tan or grey, and yellowish olive.

Wagler’s Palm Pit Viper

The Wagler’s pit viper is a distinctively large, triangular-shaped snake. These snakes are poisonous and live in the lowland forests of southeastern Asia, mangroves and lowland forests. They are sometimes called “temple vipers” due to their presence around the Temple of the Azure Cloud in Malaysia. Wagler’s palm vipers are arboreal and spend most of their time in tree canopies at the mid-level. There are many different colours and patterns available for these snakes. Some snakes have bright green bodies, while others have small red or cream spots along their backs. Some have darker-coloured bodies and pale yellow bands.

Eastern Hognose Snake

The Eastern Hognose Snake looks like a normal-sized snake at first glance. The snake will spread its head and neck like a cobra when threatened to transform it into a huge skull. Eastern hognose snakes are found in the eastern half United States. They can be found in forests, prairies and woodlands, and grasslands and rivers valleys. Their unique snout is curved and allows them to dig under loose soil or sand. The amphibians are the majority of Eastern hognoses. They may eat invertebrates and birds occasionally. They are large snakes with thick bodies that can grow to between 18 and 48 inches in length. The Eastern hognose snakes can be found in many colours and patterns, depending on their location.

Copperhead Snake

The copperhead Snake is named after its large, copper-red head. It looks like an arrowhead or triangle. The snakes are muscular and thick with keeled or grooved scales. They typically measure 24-36 inches in height. Copperhead snakes can be light brown, salmon, pinkish, or tan, with dark crossbands running the length of their bodies. These bands are shaped like an hourglass and have brown or reddish-brown colouration. These unique markings are only found in copperhead snakes. These venomous snakes can be found in many habitats, including the United Snakes and northern Mexico.

Blunt-Headed Snake Tree

The blunt-headed tree serpent has a large head for its small body. This snake also has large eyes, which take up at least 25% of its head. The snake’s eyes extend from the sides of its head and allow it to see more than other species. Blunt-headed snakes can see well in darkness. These arboreal snakes can be found in Central and South America. They also live in Mexico. Although young snakes might venture into dense vegetation near the ground, adults prefer to live in trees. Their necks are so short that blunt-headed tree snakes mostly eat small reptiles or amphibians like dwarf geckos and anoles and frogs. These snakes can bite humans but are not venomous.

King Cobra

The King cobra is large and bulky with a head. This snake is found in Southeast Asia, southern China and India. King cobras are found in many habitats, including rainforests, mangrove swamps and rivers, and bamboo thickets and grasslands. They can grow to 18 feet in length but are usually between 10-13 feet long. King cobras are the longest venomous snake in existence. They also raise much of the length of their bodies, and they “stand up”. These snakes can be extremely dangerous and can kill humans in 30 minutes.

King cobras, however, are shy and will avoid people as much as possible. King cobras will hiss when they feel threatened and flaunt their hood to make them appear larger and more intimidating. These rare snakes have been displaced from their natural habitats and are now being hunted and persecuted. The extinction of the king cobra has resulted in a dramatic decline in their habitat.

Gaboon Viper