Unlike most predators, snakes swallow their prey whole. Often the prey is larger than their mouth; in order to swallow the prey, the snake has unique adaptations that allow it to increase its jaw width and gape.
Contrary to popular myth, snakes do not dislocate their jaws in order to consume large prey. Two mandibles form the lower jaw and are the only moveable bones of the skull. At the front, they are attached to each other with a stretchy ligament. Consequently, the bottom mandibles can spread apart laterally, increasing the width of the mouth. They are also loosely connected at the back to the skull, allowing a snake to also increase the gape of its mouth.
After the prey is captured, the snake's mandibles move independently of each other, slowly inching the prey into the snake's throat. Simultaneously, the snake's head "walks" forward in a side-to-side motion over the prey's body, so as the prey is levered backward the head moves forward. Backward-pointing teeth help ensure the prey does not escape if it is still alive. (Photo: Common Gartersnake swallowing frog; photo by Kit Emery)
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