How Do Snakes Swallow Large Prey?

Snakes have a unique and fascinating way of swallowing prey that is much larger than their own heads and even bodies. The secret to a snake’s ability to consume prey larger (sometimes much larger) than itself lies in its highly flexible skull. Unlike most animals, snakes have a skull with multiple joints that allow for significant movement. The bones of the snake’s upper jaw—which includes the maxilla, palatine, and pterygoid (all of which form the roof of the mouth and adjacent structures in vertebrates)—can move independently. This ability enables the snake to open its mouth wide enough to engulf prey several times the diameter of its head.

Snakes also possess a remarkable jaw structure that aids in this process. The two halves of the lower jaw are not fused at the chin, allowing both parts to move independently. This means that when a snake encounters a large meal, it can surround one end of its prey with the mouth and “walk” its jaws over the prey, moving one side of the jaw forward while the other holds the prey in place. This method, often referred to as “walk feeding,” which gradually pulls the prey into its mouth.

This process is aided by the elastic ligaments in a snake’s jaw. These ligaments stretch to accommodate the size of the prey, which allows the snake to expand its mouth and throat significantly. This elasticity is crucial for the snake to maneuver its jaws around the prey and begin the swallowing process.