Actually, snakes are an important part of every ecosystem they inhabit, and they inhabit many. Snakes are beneficial and necessary for a balanced ecosystem. There are more than 2,700 different kinds of snakes in the world and each one fills a unique niche. What they all have in common is that they are all cold-blooded reptiles. Their bodies are covered with dry scales.
Scales are different depending on their function.
Those found on the belly are big and flat and provide traction to help the snake move. Scales don't grow, so as snakes get bigger they must shed their skin to reveal a new layer of slightly larger scales. Many snakes have amazing and unique adaptations that allow them to survive. They coil their strong bodies around the prey to stop its breathing, suffocating them. They are immune to rattlesnake, cottonmouth and copperhead venom.