These famous snakes in books slither, surprise, and often bite unsuspecting humans. Over the years, serpents have played an important role in literature. Get to know these top 10 snakes in literature.

1. Cadmus in Metamorphoses by Ovid

via pinterest.com

Cadmus, after killing a serpent, “felt his skin hardening as scales grew there, while dark green patches checkered his black body. He lay prone on his breast, and gradually his legs fused together . . .”

2. Jörmungandr in The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson

via pinterest.com

From 13th century Norse mythology, Jörmungandr the serpent is thrown into the ocean by the father of the gods, Odin, where he encircles and holds together the earth.

3. The asp in Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

via pinterest.com

Captured by the Romans, Cleopatra commits suicide using a poisonous asp, sticking it on her breast, “with thy sharp teeth this knot intrinsicate / Of life at once untie: poor venomous fool / Be angry, and dispatch.”

4. Satan as the snake in Paradise Lost by John Milton

via pinterest.com

“Fold above fold a surging Maze his Head / Crested aloft, and Carbuncle his Eyes; / With burnisht Neck of verdant Gold, erect / Amidst his circling Spires.”

5. Kaa in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

via pinterest.com

Kaa, a 100-year-old python, is friend and mentor to the man-child Mowgli.

6. The snake in “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” by Arthur Conan Doyle

via pinterest.com

Holmes and Watson discover an instrument of murder, “the squat diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent.”

7. The snake in “Snake” by DH Lawrence

via pinterest.com

Watching a poisonous snake drink from a water trough, a poet muses, “a king in exile, uncrowned in the underworld.”

8. The Incredibly Deadly Viper in The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

via pinterest.com

Considered a favorite by herpetologist Uncle Monty, who looks after the orphaned  Baudelaire children, The Incredibly Deadly Viper, which is not deadly but harmless, is kept in The Reptile Room.

9. The snake in The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

via pinterest.com

Nathan Price, having moved his wife and children to the Belgian Congo for missionary work, encounters unimaginable tragedy when his youngest daughter, Ruth May, dies by a green mamba snake bite.

10. Nagini in the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling

via GIPHY

Nagina is Voldermort’s giant python-viper hybrid. Also, a serpent represents Slytherin, one of the four Houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Salazar Slytherin.

Receive top book recommendations directly in your inbox.

Woof, woof! How could we leave out man’s best friend? Get to know these top dogs in literature.

Meow, meow! These cats in literature shouldn’t be missed.

Oink, oink! Get to know these top 10 pigs in literature.

More of a horse person? Discover the best horses in literature.

Hop on over to the best rabbits in literature.

There be dragons! Check out the top dragons in literature.

You will be a-mazed by these top rodents in literature.

These top 10 goats in literature are the G.O.A.T.