- Hisses: Most serpents hiss. Hissing is a defensive mechanism that some serpents employ when they feel threatened or disturbed. It is also a way for serpents to communicate with each other.
- Strikes: Serpents strike when they feel threatened or when they are hunting for prey. When a serpent strikes, it quickly thrusts its head and neck forward, opening its mouth wide to bite its attacker or capture its prey.
- Coils: Serpents often coil their bodies when they are resting, sleeping, or preparing to strike. Coiling helps serpents regulate their body temperature and conserve energy.
- Moves in a serpentine pattern: Serpents move in a serpentine pattern due to their unique body structure and the way their muscles work. This zig-zag pattern is also why they are often called "snake-like."
- Shed skin: Serpents shed their skin periodically as they grow and mature. This process is known as ecdysis. Before shedding, a serpent's skin becomes dry and dull, and it may even develop wrinkles or tears. The serpent will then rub its body against rough surfaces, such as rocks or tree branches, to help shed its old skin.
- Regenerates its body: Serpents can regenerate parts of their bodies, such as tails, if they are injured or lost. This process is known as regeneration. Regeneration occurs by forming new tissue from the remaining part of the body.
- Swallows prey whole: Most serpents swallow their prey whole instead of chewing it. This is because many serpents have relatively small mouths and cannot chew their prey like other animals. To swallow their prey, serpents use their expandable jaws and digestive enzymes to break down the food.
- Uses venom: Some serpents, known as venomous serpents, use venom as a defense mechanism and for hunting. Venom is a toxic substance that can cause paralysis, tissue damage, or death when it is injected into the body of an animal.