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Lotta folks are asking how they do this so let’s talk about how a snake can eat a big ass egg and not die. https://twitter.com/janfreedman/status/1045427583146430464
First of all let’s talk about what that mouth do.
Skin is an incredibly elastic organ. Snakes can have not only elastic skin, but a jaw that isn’t fused at the chin. This is what allows them to “unhinge” their jaw.
Skin is an incredibly elastic organ. Snakes can have not only elastic skin, but a jaw that isn’t fused at the chin. This is what allows them to “unhinge” their jaw.
When food starts to go in, many snakes are able to slide their glottis forward (or to the side) allowing them to breathe through their trachea, around the object. Cartilaginous rings help maintain the structure of the trachea (tho the specific purpose is still in clear)
Now let’s talk about these egg eating snakes cause this is where shit gets wierd.
Egg eating snakes don’t just swallow a whole ass egg, carrying it to their stomach and call it a day. Nah. They have a strategy.
An egg eating snake can use the bone structure of their spine/ribs to burst the egg. By working the egg back and forth while contracting the muscles around their rib cage they can produce pressure that empties the shell
Following this evacuation, the snake can comfortably regurgitate the shell
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