A red bamboo snake, <i>Oreocryptophis porphyraceus vaillantii</i>, from a private collection.
A red bamboo snake, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus vaillantii, from a private collection.
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark

See 22 Spectacular Pictures of Snakes

Found in rainforests, deserts and mountain ranges, more than 3,000 different snake species slither around the world

It’s that time of year—World Snake Day will take place once again this Sunday.

In rainforests, deserts, mountain ranges and beyond, more than 3,000 different snake species have been found slithering in a variety of environments around the world. Some can grow to become more than 30-feet long, and others will live to be more than two decades old.

To celebrate the legless reptiles, National Geographic is showing off a collection of Joel Sartore’s vivid snake photographs. From a pet snake in Japan to a green tree python at the Riverside Zoo in Nebraska, the following pictures showcase pieces from the National Geographic Photo Ark, which Sartore uses to spread awareness about animal conservation.

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