Vostok Station in Antarctica currently holds the crown for the coldest place on the planet. It recorded -89.2 °C on 22 February 2010. But it could get even colder, with temperatures dropping to about -96 °C, if perfect cold-weather conditions prevail. Now that is chilly.
This is the lesser known snowhose snake - it coils awaiting unsuspecting passersby to trip over it when concealed under the snow and then sprays it with a freezing cold venom. It is usually found in habitats such as those illustrated here.
Protective footwear is always advised such as those shown.
Eminent herpetologist Professor Rosa Ford-Craw is shown examining data before her next expedition into the world of the snowhose snake.
