Found in warm environments on every continent except Antarctica snakes are one of the most feared animals in the world. Though many people think of these reptiles as predators some snakes are actually preyed upon by other animals. Regardless all snakes have sharp teeth and venomous fangs that they use to kill their prey.
There are three main ways that snakes kill their prey. The first is by constriction. Constriction is when the snake wraps its body around the prey in order to kill it. This method is most commonly used by larger snakes such as the anaconda that are unable to swallow their prey whole.
The second way snakes kill their prey is by venom. Venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes and cobras have fangs that are filled with venom. This venom is injected into the prey causing it to become immobilized and eventually die.
The third way that snakes kill their prey is by biting and swallowing them whole. This is most commonly done by smaller snakes as they are not able to constrict their prey. Once the snake has bitten its prey it will coil its body around the prey and swallow it whole.
Regardless of the method used snakes are skilled predators that are able to kill their prey efficiently.
How do snakes kill their prey?
Answer 1: By injecting them with venom.
How does the venom kill the prey?
Answer 2: It depends on the type of venom.
Some venoms will cause paralysis some will cause tissue damage and some will cause the prey’s blood to clot.
Do all snakes have venom?
Answer 3: No only about 60% of snakes are venomous.
How do non-venomous snakes kill their prey?
Answer 4: By constricting them.
What is constriction?
Answer 5: Constriction is when a snake wraps its body around the prey in order to suffocate it.
How does constriction work?
Answer 6: The snake wraps its body around the prey and squeezes it.
This cuts off the prey’s circulation and eventually the prey will die from lack of oxygen.
Do all snakes constrict their prey?
Answer 7: No only constrictors do.
What is the difference between a constrictor and a non-constrictor?
Answer 8: Constrictors have long muscular bodies that they use to wrap around their prey.
Non-constrictors have shorter thinner bodies and cannot wrap around their prey.
How can you tell if a snake is a constrictor?
Answer 9: You can usually tell by the size and shape of the snake.
Constrictors are usually much larger and have cylinder-like bodies.
What kind of prey do snakes eat?
Answer 10: Small mammals such as rodents or rabbits.
They will also eat birds eggs lizards and amphibians.
How often do snakes eat?
Answer 11: It depends on the size of the snake.
Smaller snakes will eat more often while larger snakes can go for months without eating.
How do snakes find their prey?
Answer 12: They use their sense of smell and their forked tongues to track their prey.
How does the sense of smell work?
Answer 13: The forked tongue picks up scent particles from the air and then transfers them to the Jacobson’s organ.
The Jacobson’s organ is located in the roof of the mouth and is connected to the snake’s brain.
How does the forked tongue work?
Answer 14: The forked tongue collects scent particles from the air and then transfers them to the Jacobson’s organ.
What is the Jacobson’s organ?
Answer 15: The Jacobson’s organ is located in the roof of the mouth and is connected to the snake’s brain.
It is used to process information from the sense of smell.
