In Tibet, snakes are known to have long, slender bodies covered in scales. Most snakes in Tibet live on the ground and eat mice, frogs, and insects; about half of snakes are poisonous.  In this riddle, the snake is identified as not having arms or legs, as well as being "squashed".  While their lack of limbs is recognized across cultures, snakes are not commonly thought of as "squashed".  This description has to do with the way in which snakes move--drawing their body length together before elongating again.  This method of compression and extension allows the snake to move without limbs; it is also the reason the snake is described here as a "squashed traveler".