What animal can smell with its tongue, swallow an animal larger than its own head, and grow to be longer than a school bus? A snake! Pound for pound, snakes are among the strongest of animals. Most people fear snakes, but there are only a few that are dangerous to humans. And if snakes were to disappear, the earth would be overrun with rats and rodents. We all must learn to appreciate these awesome reptiles as a vital part of the global balance of nature.