Snakes are from 6 inches long to 30 feet long.  They have long, thin bodies.  Their bodies are covered by a tough bunch of plates and scales that is nearly water tight.  Snakes' eyes are covered by clear scales that keep the dirt out.  Snakes are many different colors which helps them to blend in with the land around them.  
   These animals hunt for food and eat small animals.  There is a small hole between the snake's upper and lower jaws.  This lets the snake's tongue go in and out without it opening its mouth.  Some snakes lay eggs and the eggs stay inside their bodies.
   Snakes hibernate and estivate to get away from the cold or heat.  When their nights are cool, they will go out in the daytime, and lay on a rock in the sun until they warm up.  In some climates, the cold will kill them so they hibernate.  The desert snakes have a different problem and need to get away from heat and dryness.   Snakes are cold-blooded and their body temperatures are about the same as the air temperature around them.  They would freeze or cook if the temperatures were too low or too high.  They adapt to the environment around them by sleeping through the bad times.
    Snakes look for caves, holes in the ground, or cracks in rocks to sleep in.  A layer of dirt on top of their den helps keep them warmer or cooler.  Dens sometimes have hundreds of hibernating snakes in them.  
   When hibernating, the snake’s heartbeat slows and it needs less oxygen and energy.  Its body temperature falls and breathing slows down.  Snakes eat more food before they hibernate so that they can live on stored fat. 

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