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How do snakes dislocate their jaw to swallow big food?

In: Zoology or Animal Biology, Reptiles, Snakes, Care of Snakes [Edit categories]

Answer:

They do not. A snakes' lower jawbone is only loosely connected to their upper jawbone. The lower jaw is made up of two bones that are connected by an elastic, or stretchy, tissue, so the snake can open its mouth very wide (several times as big as its own head), accommodating a relatively large animal.

First answer by ID1566647978. Last edit by ID1566647978. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].

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Relevant answers:

How can snakes swallow big animals?
They dislocate their jaw, witch then means they can open their mouth enough so they can stretch round it, and the snakes have flexable bodies so they can fit all the food in
Can snakes dislocate their jaw?
No, snakes can not dislocate their jaw. Their bottom jaw consists of two bones instead of one and therefore is very flexible.
How do snakes swallow their food whole?
when snakes swallow their food their jaws come disconnected and they have no teeths to bite or tear their prey
Do snakes swallow food whole?
They wrap around there prey until it dies then eats it whole. It's jaw could dislocate which is how it eats huge animals whole but that 1 meal could last months for them depending on if it's a wild...
How does a snake dislocate its jaw?
It doesn't. Just incredibly stretchy ligaments and the lower jaw has two parts so it can crawl over it's pray and constrict it.