The internet is rife with all sorts of crazy questions and “can you choke a snake” is definitely one of them. It’s a question that seems to come up a lot so we did some research to try and get to the bottom of it.
First let’s start with the basics. Snakes are reptiles and therefore do not have jaws like mammals do. This means that they cannot chew their food and must instead swallow it whole. So how does a snake eat something much larger than its head?
Well it all starts with the snake’s tongue. A snake’s tongue is actually forked and is used to smell and taste the air around it. But it also serves another purpose – it helps the snake to grab onto its food.
The tongue is attached to the front of the snake’s mouth and when it flicks out the snake will use it to grab onto its prey. Once the prey is secure the snake will then use its muscles to push the food down its throat.
This process is helped along by the fact that snakes have a lot of flexible bones in their skulls which allows them to open their mouths much wider than other animals.
So now that we know how a snake eats let’s get back to the question at hand – can you choke a snake?
The answer is unfortunately yes.
While it is very unlikely that you would be able to choke a snake to death with your bare hands it is definitely possible. If you were to grab a snake around its neck and squeeze tightly you would eventually be able to cut off its air supply and suffocate it.
Of course this is not something that we would recommend doing as it would be cruel and unnecessary. Snakes are not dangerous animals and there is no need to harm them.
If you’re ever in a situation where you need to handle a snake the best thing to do is to call a professional. They will be able to safely remove the snake from the area and you won’t have to worry about getting hurt.
What is the correct title for the North American reptile literature classic by Laurence M.
Klauber?
“Rattlesnakes: Their Habits Life Histories and Influence on Mankind”
Which of the following is NOT a venomous snake found in North America?
Garter snake
Which of the following is the largest venomous snake in the world?
King Cobra
Which of the following is the smallest venomous snake in the world?
inland taipan
Which of the following is the fastest snake in the world?
Black mamba
Which of the following is the longest snake in the world?
reticulated python
What is the average lifespan of a snake?
20 years
What is the weight of the heaviest snake in the world?
158 kg
What is the length of the longest snake in the world?
10.
1 m
What is the venom potency of the inland taipan?
100%
What is the most venomous snake in the world?
Inland taipan
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of venomous snakes?
long fangs
Which of the following is a characteristic of venomous snakes?
hollow fangs
How many species of venomous snakes are there in the world?
600
What is the average number of baby snakes born at one time?
12
