Snake and Eggs
Snake and Eggs
The majority of snake species lay eggs. Depending on the species, these eggs may be light-colored or off-white and have a rubbery texture. The shell is porous, allowing for the exchange of gases needed for embryonic development.
In the wild, snake eggs are usually nestled in concealed locations such as burrows or sand or leaf litter or decaying vegetation. The oblong or elliptical shape of the egg helps to camouflage them. The soft, leathery shell is permeable to gasses but not liquids and is less prone to breaking than hard calcified bird eggs.
Like other reptile eggs, snake eggs are odorless and do not contain poison. They are edible for some people, but they must be cooked first. The taste is similar to fish and can be used in soup or other dishes. In some parts of the world, snake meat is a popular delicacy.
Once fertilization occurs, the female snake deposits the eggs in a damp, warm and safe place for incubation. She typically leaves them to hatch on their own, though in some cases she may coil around a clutch until they are ready to hatch. One of the best examples of parental care is seen in the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), which builds a nest for its eggs.
Snake eggs are very similar to many other reptile eggs and it can be difficult, even for a snake expert or enthusiast, to distinguish them from other types of eggs. If you find snake eggs in the wild, it is advisable to leave them alone and not touch them. Changing the position of an egg, picking it up or turning it could damage or kill the embryo inside and prevent the snake from hatching.
