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A snakes jaw is not one solid piece of bone like ours is. Their upper jaw is made up of six pieces, and the lower jaw is in two pieces--all connected by ligaments and muscle tissue. The snake simply stretches it's jaws over the mouse or whatever it's swallowing. Afterwards, the jawbones realign themselves.

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14y ago

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How can a snake eat animals bigger than it's head?

Snakes are able to unhinge their jaws, which allows them to swallow animals much larger than their heads. After they swallow the animal, their jaw hinge goes back into place.


Why can a boa constrictor swallow an animal much larger then its head?

The boa is able to dislocate/unhinge its jaw to get it around an animal that would appear to be bigger than its head when the jaw is connected. Once it does that, it can stretch its mouth around the animal and start pulling it in for digestion.


How do king cobras eat there prey?

They swallow it whole, head first. All snakes are carnivorous. With venomous snakes such as cobra the digestive process is started as soon as the venom is injected.


Which air breathing animal can only swallow when its head is under water?

Blue Whale


What special adaptations do snakes have for eating?

Snakes have unique adaptations for eating, such as flexible jaws that allow them to swallow prey much larger than their own head. They also have specialized teeth for grasping and holding onto prey, as well as powerful digestive enzymes to break down their food quickly. Additionally, snakes lack limbs, which helps them to maneuver and swallow prey efficiently.


What snakes do?

Snakes are reptiles that primarily use their keen senses of smell and touch to hunt and locate prey. They are known for their unique ability to unhinge their jaws to swallow prey much larger than their own head, and some species have venom to immobilize their prey before consuming it. Snakes play a crucial role in balancing ecosystems by controlling rodent populations.


How does a snake eat?

Snakes eat their food whole. Usually head first. The lower jaw on snakes can unhinge enabling the snake to eat much larger prey than their head. The snakes body muscles then push the meal down inside the snakes stomach.


Does a snake usually bite the head of its prey to kill it instantly?

its easy for snakes to crush all the prey's bones first then gobble them up EDIT: The reason snakes swallow their prey head first - is that the limbs of the 'victim' fold flat against the body - making it easier to swallow. (Snakester1962)


Why can a cobra swallow an object larger than it head?

Cobras, like many snakes, have highly flexible jaws that allow them to unhinge and stretch wide open. Their skulls are made up of several movable bones, which enables them to engulf prey larger than their head. Additionally, their elastic skin and muscles facilitate the swallowing process, allowing them to consume sizable objects without injury. This adaptation is essential for their survival, enabling them to capture and eat larger prey.


How wide can a snake open its mouth to swallow its prey?

A snake can open its mouth very wide, up to about four times the diameter of its body, in order to swallow prey that is larger than its head.


How big can a snake open its mouth?

A snake can open its mouth wide enough to swallow prey that is larger than its own head.


What do you get a guy you just met for his birthday?

Give him head and swallow!! Give him head and swallow!!