Snake fun facts because of the questions I get about my snake tattoos

Since multiple people keep pointing out to my snake tattoos, let's talk about snakes today. I find them quite fascinating and they have incredible biology. So let's dive into it. Number one, snakes don't actually smell with their tongue. They taste the air. Now, the thing is they use their tongue to collect these tiny particles from the air and the ground and then they press it against an organ in the roof of their mouth called Jacobson's organ. Over there you can see the Jacobson's organ. And this organ analyzes these chemicals. Number two, some snakes can see heat. Now, species like the Gaboon viper, the boa constrictors and rattlesnakes have heat-sensing pits that detect infrared radiation. So this means they can effectively see the body heat of their prey, even in total darkness. Number three, a snake's ribs is what actually helps it move. Most snakes have around 200 to 400 ribs in their body and the muscles attached to these ribs help push them against the ground and propel them forward. Now, they don't slither like humans do with hundreds of ribs in their body. Number four, venom is incredibly important in medicine. Scientists have studied venom to help develop drugs for conditions such as high blood pressure, blood clotting disorders, chronic pain and even cancer research. Number five, not all snakes lay eggs. Some species actually give birth. Now, this is common in colder climates because the mother can regulate the temperature of her babies much better than when the eggs are left outside. Common examples of this are the common boa constrictor and common garter snakes. Number six, snakes don't hear the way we do. They don't have external ears. Instead they detect vibrations through the ground using their jawbones. And then the jawbones transfer these vibrations to their inner ear. Imagine how performative that is, even snakes. I thought that was just for humans. Fact number maybe eight or nine, king cobras actually build nests. They are the only known species that actively build a nest using vegetation. And the female snake usually guards her eggs until they hatch. And this is unusual amongst snakes. Meanwhile, to them, you are the predator. Happy learning.