Final answer:
Snakes have evolved over 100 million years and include about 3,000 species with diverse sizes and diets. They are carnivorous, using specialized belly scales for movement and periodically shedding their skin through molting. In Karnataka, India, particularly during the monsoon, various snake species, including young snakes, can be more active.
Step-by-step explanation:
Snakes are a diversified group of reptiles that have evolved from burrowing or aquatic lizards over 100 million years ago. The diversity among snakes is quite vast, with about 3,000 species found across the world, with the exception of Antarctica. In Karnataka, India, where you found the baby snake during the monsoon season, the prevalent conditions are ideal for various snake species, as snakes tend to be more active and visible during this time due to the increased availability of prey and suitable habitat.
Snakes are exclusively carnivorous, preying on animals like birds, eggs, fish, and insects. They employ specialized belly scales to aid in movement and undergo a process called molting, where they shed a complete outer layer of skin, allowing for growth and removal of parasites. The 15 cm length of the baby snake indicates it is quite young, as snakes can vary significantly in size.