The 9 Most Bizarre Snakes Ever Known

Scaly and frightening, snakes haunt us and inhabit our dreams since mythology. They appear in the Bible, in satanic visions, in linguistic metaphors, and in the creation of myths around the world. Our fascination is undoubtedly fueled by the danger these animals pose to our lives.

Evolution has presented the world with snakes in a huge variety of foreign body models, but also very intelligent in their adaptations. Meet with us a list of 9 most bizarre reptile species you can see. Would you dare to face any of them?

01 - Langaha madagascariensis

This bizarre-looking snake, also known as the Malagasy-nosed leaf snake, is a tree species from Madagascar. Their strange nasal appendage (pointed in the male and leaf-shaped in the female) can help them blend into vines and twigs when they spot their prey.

No one is sure if they are really poisonous, but they are very aggressive. The bites are extremely painful, but not fatal.

02 - Flying Snake

It sounds unbelievable: a flying snake! But these snakes are really real (Don't believe it? Check out this video). They can glide for impressive distances through the air (without necessarily flying), jumping from branch to branch.

When in the air, this snake inflates its ribs and compresses its abdomen to become wider and concave for better aerodynamics.

03 - Desert Horned Serpent

These snakes, which come from North Africa and the Middle East, may be the reason why the devil is often depicted with horns. Snake horns, which are modified scales, are retractable and allow them to bury easily.

Scientists are unsure of the purpose of the horns, but they can help prevent sand from accumulating around the eyes of snakes.

04 - Snake with tentacles

This water snake, native to Southeast Asia, is the only species in the world to have twin "tentacles" on its snout. Scientists speculate that the snake uses these tentacles as bait to lure small fish, its favorite prey, but they also function as sensory organs that help detect movement.

05 - Barbados Snake

Endemic to the Caribbean island of Barbados, this snake is the smallest species in the world, only 4 inches long, and its thickness can be compared to that of a spaghetti pasta. Anyone could very well mistake her for a worm if she was crawling across the grass or under a rock. This snake's diet consists of termites and ant larvae.

06 - Iridescent Shieldtail

This species, found in the mountains of India, may be the most colorful snake in the world. It is also one of the least known snakes on the planet, as only three specimens have been identified. Her curves and belly are separated by a bright glowing yellow stripe.

07 - Iwasaki Snail Eater

You can probably guess what this snake eats, but she is an even more specialized hunter than her name implies. Not only does it eat snails, because of its highly unusual asymmetrical jaws, it is also efficient with shell feeding.

Adaptation has its limits, however. Scientists believe that snails are beginning to evolve, creating coiled counterclockwise shields to protect themselves from this type of snake.

08 - Eastern hognose snake

Despite the upturned muzzle used to dig into sandy soils, this snake does not look very strange until threatened. Then she becomes the queen of the drama. She can flatten her neck and strike, but her attacks are pure bluffs. She doesn't bite, just butt.

If this strategy does not work to ward off threats, then it will curl up and play dead, going so far as to breath out and let your tongue hang out of your mouth.

09 - Spider Tail Snake

This viper has one of the most unusual tail adaptations in the snake world. The tail appendix, which at first may look like a deformity, is designed to look like a spider. Your goal is not to make the snake look even more terrifying, but to act like a bait.

When the snake shakes its rattle, animals that feed on arachnid prey are drawn and dragged into the snake's trap.