Speaking topic: Snakes

Video (Listening)
Text (Pronunciation)
Vocabulary
Image analysis
Discussion questions
Performance notes

Watch the video and then answer the comprehension questions.

Video link = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qgA63Ixc_Y&ab_channel=NatGeoWILD

Comprehension questions

1. What unique adaptations do anacondas have that allow them to thrive in their aquatic environment?

2. How do anacondas manage to breathe while swallowing large prey?

3. What is the reproductive process of anacondas, and how do the young anacondas fare after birth?

Answers

1. Anacondas have eyes and nostrils positioned on top of their heads, which allow them to remain almost
completely submerged while waiting to ambush prey. Their genus name, Eunectes, meaning "good
swimmer," also reflects their adaptation to water.

2. When swallowing large prey, anacondas push their windpipe up and out of their mouth, acting like a
snorkel to allow them to breathe while their mouth is stretched tightly around the animal.

3. Anacondas give live birth rather than laying eggs. The young hatch inside the mother and are born fully
developed. They are able to fend for themselves and hunt immediately after birth, without needing
maternal care.

Text (Pronunciation)
Snakes are remarkable and ancient creatures, having evolved over millions of years to become one of the
most adaptable and diverse groups of reptiles on the planet. They are found in nearly every type of
environment, from dense tropical rainforests and arid deserts to wetlands, grasslands, and even oceans.
With over 3,000 species, they exhibit a wide range of sizes, colors, and behaviors. Some, like the tiny
thread snake, grow to only a few inches, while giants like the reticulated python can reach lengths of over
30 feet, making them some of the largest reptiles in the world. Their smooth, scaly bodies, which lack
limbs, are highly specialized for movement, allowing them to slither gracefully, swim, or even climb trees
with ease. Despite their often fearsome reputation, the majority of snakes are non-venomous and pose no
threat to humans. Instead, they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling
populations of rodents, insects, and other small animals. Venomous species, such as cobras, vipers, and
rattlesnakes, are equipped with specialized fangs that inject venom into their prey, allowing them to
subdue animals quickly. This venom, a complex mixture of enzymes and proteins, is primarily used for
hunting, although it can also serve as a defense mechanism when the snake feels threatened. Interestingly,
snakes can eat prey much larger than their own heads due to their highly flexible jaws, which can stretch
wide enough to engulf animals several times their size. This unique feeding strategy enables them to go
long periods between meals, often consuming large prey in one sitting and then not eating again for weeks
or even months. Though often feared or misunderstood, snakes are an essential part of the ecosystem.
They help control pest populations, and in some cultures, they are revered or play important symbolic
roles. Unfortunately, many species of snakes are threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, and
human persecution. Illegal wildlife trade also affects several rare and endangered snake species.
Conservation efforts are increasingly important to protect these fascinating reptiles, ensuring that their
populations remain stable and their ecological roles preserved. Despite their reputation, snakes are
generally shy and elusive, preferring to avoid humans, and with proper education and respect for their role
in nature, they can coexist peacefully in many environments.

Comprehension questions

1. How do snakes help maintain ecological balance in their environments?

2. What unique physical ability allows snakes to eat prey larger than their own heads?

3. What are some threats to snake populations

Answers

1. Snakes help maintain ecological balance by controlling populations of rodents, insects, and other small
animals.

2. Snakes have highly flexible jaws that can stretch wide enough to engulf animals several times their
size, allowing them to eat large prey.

3. Snake populations are threatened by habitat destruction, climate change, human persecution, and illegal
wildlife trade.
Vocabulary

Venom (Veneno): A toxic substance produced by some snakes and delivered through bites or stings.
Venomous snakes, such as cobras, use their venom to immobilize or kill their prey.

Fangs (Colmillos): Long, sharp teeth that some snakes use to inject venom into their prey. These are
specialized teeth found in venomous species like vipers.

Scales (Escamas): Small, rigid plates that cover the body of snakes and help protect them. Scales also
reduce water loss and allow for smooth movement.

Slither (Reptar): The unique way snakes move, sliding smoothly over the ground by contracting and
expanding their muscles.

Constrictor (Constrictora): A type of snake that kills its prey by coiling around it and squeezing until the
prey suffocates. Examples include pythons and boas.

Forked Tongue (Lengua Bifurcada): A tongue that is split at the end into two parts, which snakes use to
"smell" their surroundings by picking up scent particles in the air.

Cold-blooded (De Sangre Fría): A term used to describe animals, like snakes, whose body temperature
depends on the external environment. Snakes bask in the sun to warm up.

Molting (Muda): The process by which snakes shed their old skin to grow. During molting, a snake's
vision may become cloudy, and they become more vulnerable.

Pit Vipers (Víbora de Pozo): A group of venomous snakes that have heat-sensing pits between their eyes
and nostrils. These pits allow them to detect warm-blooded prey.

Camouflage (Camuflaje): The ability of some snakes to blend in with their surroundings to avoid
predators or ambush prey. This can involve specific color patterns.

Hibernation (Hibernación): A state of inactivity during cold months when some snakes slow down their
metabolism and hide in burrows or sheltered areas.

Prey (Presa): The animals that snakes hunt and eat, such as rodents, birds, or other small creatures.

Antivenom (Antiveneno): A medical treatment used to counteract the effects of venom from a snake bite.
It is created using antibodies from animals exposed to the venom.

Snake Charmer (Encantador de Serpientes): A person who appears to control or hypnotize snakes,
typically cobras, often as a form of entertainment in some cultures.
Nocturnal (Nocturno): Describes snakes that are active at night, hunting prey and avoiding daytime
predators. Some snakes, like the king snake, are nocturnal.

Image analysis

- Can you describe what you can see in the image?

Questions

Discussion

What are some common misconceptions about snakes, and how do they impact people's perception of
them?

How do snakes contribute to the balance of ecosystems, and what might happen if they were to disappear?

Why do you think certain cultures have revered snakes, while others fear them?

How has the study of snake venom contributed to medical advancements, and what potential does it hold
for future treatments?
What are the differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes, and how do these differences
affect their hunting methods?

How does climate change impact snake populations, particularly in different regions of the world?

Why do you think people are often fascinated by or afraid of snakes, and what factors contribute to these
emotions?

What ethical considerations should be taken into account when keeping snakes as pets or in captivity?

How do snakes adapt to different environments, from deserts to rainforests, and what unique features
allow them to survive in extreme conditions?

What role do snakes play in various mythologies and religious beliefs, and how do these roles differ
across cultures?

How do snakes communicate with one another, and what are some examples of their social behaviors?

What are some of the most effective ways to reduce snake-human conflicts, especially in areas where both
coexist?

In what ways have snakes been featured in literature, films, or popular culture, and how has this portrayal
influenced public attitudes?

How do scientists track and study snake populations in the wild, and what challenges do they face in
doing so?

What are some of the challenges faced in snake conservation efforts, and how can people help protect
endangered species?

Debate

Should venomous snakes be removed from populated areas, or should humans learn to coexist with them?

Is keeping snakes as pets ethical, or should wild animals remain in their natural habitats?

Do the benefits of studying snake venom for medical purposes outweigh the risks of capturing and
handling dangerous species?

Should snake charming and similar practices be banned as animal cruelty, or should they be preserved as
cultural traditions?

Are snakes more beneficial or harmful to humans, considering their role in controlling pests versus the
danger of venomous bites?
Should governments implement stricter laws to protect endangered snake species, even if it affects local
communities and industries?

Is it ethical to farm snakes for their skin and meat, or should this practice be banned to protect wildlife?

Are snakebite deaths in certain regions the result of a lack of healthcare infrastructure, or should more
focus be placed on eradicating venomous snakes?

Should the introduction of non-native snake species be strictly regulated to prevent ecological damage, or
do invasive snakes adapt and contribute to biodiversity?

Do snakes deserve the negative portrayal they often receive in media and folklore, or is this an unfair
representation that should be changed?