Snakes stamp catalogue

1,684 items

Snakes are reptiles of the suborder Serpentes, with a long, narrow body and no legs. More than 3,000 species are known. Humans and snakes have always had a love-hate relationship. Useful and dangerous. More

Snakes are reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. They are closely related to the lizards and are characterized by a long, narrow body and lack of legs. In some species of lizards and in the worm lizards, the legs may also be missing. More than 3,000 species are known. They have adapted to many conditions. There are snakes that live underground, snakes that live in the sea and snakes that live exclusively in trees. The flying snake can even glide. The food is as diverse as the biotope. Rodents are on the menu for many snakes, but birds, eggs, snakes, lizards, crocodiles, frogs, fish, snails and small arthropods are also eaten. Snakes are found all over the world. In the Netherlands and Belgium there are 3 types of snakes, the grass snake, the smooth snake and the adder. Only the viper is poisonous. In addition, other types of snakes are encountered, usually escaped or released terrarium animals. For centuries, because of their venom, snakes were considered a henchman of evil. It was the serpent that caused Adam and Eve to be chased out of paradise. On the other hand, the (non-venomous) Aesculapian snake symbolizes medicine. Many people are afraid of snakes. Others find them fascinating. It is therefore not surprising that the snake is often depicted on postage stamps. Certainly not in the year of the snake.

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Number of stamps

1,684

Number of related items

Oldest item

Eagle with snake (1899)