ClipArt ETC
"And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent." Exodus 7:10 ASV <p>Illustration of Moses and Aaron standing before Pharaoh and his advisers. Aaron holds the tale of a serpent that used to be his rod. Moses stands next to him and gestures toward the serpent. Pharaoh, wearing a crown, holding a sceptre, and sitting on a throne, stares at the snake. His arm is outstretched. One of Pharaoh's servants gapes at the scene. Others stand behind him, befuddled. A doorway displays a pyramid and palm trees in the background.

Aaron's Rod Turning into a Serpent Before Pharaoh and His Magicians

"And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so, as Jehovah had commanded: and Aaron cast…

"A genus of venomous serpents, they are of small size, live on dry land, and feed upon frogs, lizards, and other small animals. The tail is furnished with a horny spur at the end."-Whitney, 1902

Acanthophis

"A genus of venomous serpents, they are of small size, live on dry land, and feed upon frogs, lizards,…

"Adder, or Viper (Pelias Berus)"-Whitney, 1902

Adder

"Adder, or Viper (Pelias Berus)"-Whitney, 1902

The sculpture of an ancient Snake Goddess. The artifact demonstrates typical Minoan female attire.

Aegean Snake Goddess

The sculpture of an ancient Snake Goddess. The artifact demonstrates typical Minoan female attire.

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures." — Anthon, 1891

Altars

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures."…

Ranging from eighteen to twenty-four inches long, the brown amphisbaena feeds on worms and insects, primarily ants.

Brown amphisbaena

Ranging from eighteen to twenty-four inches long, the brown amphisbaena feeds on worms and insects,…

A small species of venemous serpent found in the European Alps.

Asp

A small species of venemous serpent found in the European Alps.

"Asp, as an Egyptian royal symbol.- Seti I., father of Rameses II."-Whitney, 1902

Asp

"Asp, as an Egyptian royal symbol.- Seti I., father of Rameses II."-Whitney, 1902

"A venomous serpent, the name of which has come down from ancient times; the vague descriptions of ancient authors, however, causing uncertainty as to the species. It is very generally supposed to be the Naja Haje, the El Haje or Haje Nasher of the Arabs, which is very common in Egypt and Cyprus, and often appears in hieroglyphic and other sculptures as one of the sacred animals of ancient Egypt." &mdash; Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Asp

"A venomous serpent, the name of which has come down from ancient times; the vague descriptions of ancient…

The narrow ended dendroaspis, otherwise known as the tree asp, tree snake, or mamba. It is about 6 feet long, slender, and a good climber. Its color is olive brown washed with green.

Tree Asp

The narrow ended dendroaspis, otherwise known as the tree asp, tree snake, or mamba. It is about 6 feet…

"One to two feet long, color orange-red; moving in the waters it appears like a red-ribbon. This, as well as other species of this family, is often found cast on the shores by storms." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Red Bandfish

"One to two feet long, color orange-red; moving in the waters it appears like a red-ribbon. This, as…

Illustration of the head of a bishop's staff, also called a crosier. The head is a serpent curled around another reptilian figure and a man with a staff. The serpent symbolizes that the bishop is responsible for the blood of his parish. The lower part is highly ornamented with vines, etc.

Bishop's Staff - Head with Serpent Design

Illustration of the head of a bishop's staff, also called a crosier. The head is a serpent curled around…

A black snake attacking a nest of brown thrushes.

Black Snake and Brown Thrushes

A black snake attacking a nest of brown thrushes.

"In popular language, the name of all those large serpents which kill their prey by entwining themselves around it, and constricting it in their coils; but by zoologists of the present day, limited as the name of a genus to a very small portion of their number, all of which are natives of the warm parts of America." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Boa

"In popular language, the name of all those large serpents which kill their prey by entwining themselves…

This gigantic snake kills its prey by constricting around it, squeezing it to death, then swallowing it whole.

Boa constrictor

This gigantic snake kills its prey by constricting around it, squeezing it to death, then swallowing…

The Ringed Boa (Epicrates cenchria) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family of boas.

Ringed Boa

The Ringed Boa (Epicrates cenchria) is a non-venomous snake in the Boidae family of boas.

Found in India, this species of bokadam is nonvenemous.

Karoo bokadam

Found in India, this species of bokadam is nonvenemous.

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, because we have spoken against Jehovah, and against thee; pray unto Jehovah, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And Jehovah said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a standard: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live." Numbers 21:6-8 ASV <p>Illustration of Moses holding up the bronze serpent on the staff and all of the Israelites looking upon it to be healed. Numerous people lie in various states of disease. Snakes are on the ground, coiled around arms, and biting people. Moses is pictured with horns made of rays of light. Tents and mountains can be seen in the background.

The Brazen Serpent and the Healing of the Israelites

"And Jehovah sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel…

This snake brooch is designed with two figure heads on each side and a kneeling female figure in the center. A snake is wrapped around all three of the figures.

Snake Brooch

This snake brooch is designed with two figure heads on each side and a kneeling female figure in the…

A cartoon of a snake trying to eat a canary.

Canary and Snake

A cartoon of a snake trying to eat a canary.

A cartoon of a baby playing with a snake.

Cartoon of Baby and Snake

A cartoon of a baby playing with a snake.

A pair of Chuck-Will's-Widows, which feed primarily on small insects.

Chuck-Will's-Widow

A pair of Chuck-Will's-Widows, which feed primarily on small insects.

When irritated, the neck of a cobra swells at the same time it raises the front part of its body vertically, holding it straight and rigid.

Cobra

When irritated, the neck of a cobra swells at the same time it raises the front part of its body vertically,…

A cobra 3 to 4 feet in length with its head up.

Cobra

A cobra 3 to 4 feet in length with its head up.

A cobra.

Cobra

A cobra.

Cobras are venomous snakes of the familys Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja. (Non-cobra elapidae include the taipans, brown snakes, tiger snakes, fierce snakes, coral snakes, mambas and sea snakes.) Cobras generally inhabit tropical and desert regions of Asia and Africa. When feeling threatened, cobras can rear up and flatten their heads into an instantly recognisable warning posture. The rest of the time their heads are symmetrical and they look much like any other snake bites.

Cobra Head

Cobras are venomous snakes of the familys Elapidae, of several genera, but particularly Naja. (Non-cobra…

"The boa constrictor grows to great size, and greatly resembles the python in its habits." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Boa constrictor

"The boa constrictor grows to great size, and greatly resembles the python in its habits." — Goodrich,…

The <I>Dipsas cyanodon</I> is a harmless tree snake, found in India.

Dipsas Cyanodon

The Dipsas cyanodon is a harmless tree snake, found in India.

A venemous Indian serpent.

Daboya

A venemous Indian serpent.

A genus of venumous serpents.

Diemenia

A genus of venumous serpents.

Dipsa is a tiny, extremely poisonous snake from Medieval bestiaries. They were said to be said to be so poisonous that their victim would die before becoming aware he'd been bitten.

Dipsa

Dipsa is a tiny, extremely poisonous snake from Medieval bestiaries. They were said to be said to be…

A serpent whose bite causes intense thirst.

Dipsas

A serpent whose bite causes intense thirst.

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Cadmus and the Dragon

"Cadmus and the Dragon. (From a vase-painting at Naples.)" — The Delphian Society, 1913

A eel with a spines all the way down its length.

Spiny Back Eel

A eel with a spines all the way down its length.

Found in the woods of the Southern States, the glass-snake has the head of a lizard, but the body resembles that of a snake.

Glass-snake

Found in the woods of the Southern States, the glass-snake has the head of a lizard, but the body resembles…

An African species of hooded snake, the asp has a deadly bite.

Naia Haje

An African species of hooded snake, the asp has a deadly bite.

A pair of hands rolling clay into a cylindrical shape.

hands molding clay

A pair of hands rolling clay into a cylindrical shape.

"Hercules, a Theban prince, was another of the descendants of Pelops. The numerous and extraordinary feats of strength and valor of Hercules excited the admiration of his contemporaries, and, being afterwards exaggerated and embellished by poets, caused him at length to be regarded as a person endowed with supernatual powers, and even to be worshipped as a god." &mdash; Goodrich, 1844

Young Hercules

"Hercules, a Theban prince, was another of the descendants of Pelops. The numerous and extraordinary…

A hindu snake charmer.

Hindu juggler

A hindu snake charmer.

"Hygea and Aesculapius." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hygea and Aesculapius

"Hygea and Aesculapius." —Bulfinch, 1897

A giant Boa contrictor crushing a jaguar.

Boa Constricting a Jaguar

A giant Boa contrictor crushing a jaguar.

Illustration of a King cobra, <i>Ophiophagus elaps</i>, also called a Shiva snake or Siva snake because it is worn by the Hindu Lord Shiva. <p>"A book name of <i>Ophiophagus elaps</i>, a very large and deadly cobriform serpent of India; so called from its powers of destruction." &mdash;Whitney, 1889

King Cobra

Illustration of a King cobra, Ophiophagus elaps, also called a Shiva snake or Siva snake because it…

Found in India, the purple leptophis is violet and green, with a golden luster.

Purple leptophis

Found in India, the purple leptophis is violet and green, with a golden luster.

"The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to in the story. The tradition was that the future mother of Apollo and Diana, flying from the wrath of Juno, besought all the islands of the Aegean to afford her a place of rest, but all feared too much the potent queen of heavan to assist her rival." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Leto or Latona

"The persecution which Latona experienced from Juno is alluded to in the story. The tradition was that…

Resembling a snake, the anguine lizard has four vestigal limbs evident.

Anguine lizard

Resembling a snake, the anguine lizard has four vestigal limbs evident.

Loki goes into Asgard with his daughter, Hela, and his pets, Jormundgand the serpent, and Fenris the wolf. The people of Asgard are afraid of Hela because one side of her body was black and one side was white. They were also afraid of the wolf and the serpent and had various plans to get rid of Hela, Jormundgand, and Fenris.

Loki and his Pets

Loki goes into Asgard with his daughter, Hela, and his pets, Jormundgand the serpent, and Fenris the…

A statue of Minerva, with a serpent depicted at the goddesses' feet.

Minerva

A statue of Minerva, with a serpent depicted at the goddesses' feet.

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

Mockingbirds Attacking a Rattlesnake

A flock of mocking-birds attacking a rattlesnake in a tree, which was threatening a nest.

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, 1850. The seal pictures the American Bald Eagle and the Mexican Eagle holding a cactus in its talons and a snake in its mouth. Below them is a banner with the state motto, 'Crescit Eundo' meaning "It grows as it goes."

Seal of New Mexico

The Great Seal of the State of New Mexico, 1850. The seal pictures the American Bald Eagle and the Mexican…

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Oriole and serpent

An oriole attacking a serpent on a branch.

Illustration of Saint Patrick on the shores of Ireland, with bishop's miter and crosier, and other clergy behind him. He is holding his hand in blessing over several men, women, and children. Women kneel on the ground, one with a basket of fish. A little boy and girl watch the saint. A boat can be seen on the water and mountains rise in the background. Snakes slither on the ground in front of Saint Patrick.

Saint Patrick Blesses the Irish and Banishes Snakes

Illustration of Saint Patrick on the shores of Ireland, with bishop's miter and crosier, and other clergy…

These venomous snakes have triangular heads and short stocky bodies. They are a highly poisonous snake.

Puff-adder

These venomous snakes have triangular heads and short stocky bodies. They are a highly poisonous snake.

A highly poisonous African viper. It's name is derived from the habit of inflating its body when alarmed and at the same time producing a characteristic puffing sound.

Puff-Adder

A highly poisonous African viper. It's name is derived from the habit of inflating its body when alarmed…

"Pythons are the largest known serpents, which are found only in India and the islands of the Indian Archipelago." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Python

"Pythons are the largest known serpents, which are found only in India and the islands of the Indian…

A female python guarding her clutch of eggs.

Python and eggs

A female python guarding her clutch of eggs.

Dissection of head of rattlesnake; showing fangs (f) and poison sac (p).

Rattlesnake

Dissection of head of rattlesnake; showing fangs (f) and poison sac (p).

A poisonous snake, known for using its "rattle" to warn off predators.

Rattlesnake

A poisonous snake, known for using its "rattle" to warn off predators.

"Rattlesnake is the English name for any species of the American genus Crotalus, the tail of which is furnished with a rattle. Garman enumerates 12 species and 13 varieties. The poison of the rattlesnake is usually fatal to man, though fortunately they are sluggish, and never attempt to strike unless they are molested. They are widely distributed on the American continent; but advancing civilization is rapidly thinning their numbers."&mdash;(Charles Leonard-Stuart, 1911)

Rattlesnake

"Rattlesnake is the English name for any species of the American genus Crotalus, the tail of which is…

Conflict with a rattlesnake. Caption below illustration: "The snake when about a yard distant, made a violent spring. Jervas caught it in his right hand, directly under his head. He squeezed it with all his power. Its eyes almost started out of its head. It lashed its body on the ground, at the same time rattling loudly."

Conflict with a Rattlesnake

Conflict with a rattlesnake. Caption below illustration: "The snake when about a yard distant, made…

A frame surrounded by various reptiles.

Reptiles

A frame surrounded by various reptiles.