Habitat and Survival

in the snake world

Most snakes live in tropical regions. They thrive
in water, forests, deserts and prairies.
What Does a Snake Eat?
Snakes are purely carnivorous. They will
eat anything from bugs to small deer.
This includes other snakes.
Their diet depends on the habitat they
are located in. Forest snakes may eat
more birds compared to desert
snakesectect
Their lower jaw unhooks from their
upper jaw so they can accommodate
larger prey.
The jaw bones are connected to elastic
ligaments. They can move parts of the
jaw side to side to walk in prey.
A hungry snake will eat anything it
thinks is prey.
Oh My What Big Teeth You Have
There are 3 different types of
teeth. Constrictor dentition,
groove fanged and hallow fanged.
Constrictor dentition are all non
venomous snakes with hook like
teeth. The teeth hook back toward
the snake to keep prey from
escaping.
Groove Fangs have a special
groove where the venom is
released toward the top of the
fang.
Hallow Fangs are like a needle.
They are extended when the
mouth opens and release venom
through the end of the fang.
Heat Sensors and Pits
The pits on the face of a snake are heat
sensors. This allows them to locate
prey easily.
In fact they can even locate prey in the
dark. This allows them to hunt at night.
They mostly feed on birds and
mammals that maintain a constant
body temp.
Some can detect a temperature change
as little as .002 degrees celsius.
Some desert snakes also use the heat
sensory pits to find cool places to
escape from the heat and from
overheating.
Heat Sensor Pits
Venomous Vs. Non-Venomous
Non-Venomous snakes will constrict
around their prey until the preys heart
stops.
A constrictor will then devour the meal
head first ( or best it can).
A venomous snake will strike the
animal once or twice and then let the
poison take effect. It will then follow
the prey until it is immobilized and
begin feeding.
The venom is a toxic substance of
modified saliva. There are 2 different
types; neurotoxic and hemotoxic.
Some snakes have both.
Neurotoxic focuses mainly paralysis
and respiratory muscles. Hemotoxic
goes directly to tissue and causes
internal bleeding.
Predators of a Snake
Snakes have many predators. All predatory birds will eat a snake.
Most carnivorous mammals will eats snakes too. Such as the fox, wolf or coyote.
Some animals have adaptations that are made for snake hunting. Such as the
honey badger. This animal is immune to certain types of snake venom.
The largest predator a snake has is a human. Humans will kill a snake for
pleasure. They will also go out of their way to kill one in almost any
circumstance.