The mandibles in the upper jaw (the fangs and a small number of smaller teeth are on these bones) are also capable of independant movement. This allows the lower part of the mouth to stretch remarkably. The toothed lower jawbones of snakes can work independently because they are only loosely attached to each other by an elastic ligament. Our skulls, by comparison, are made up of only the lower jaw and the skull (ignoring the bones of the ear). For starters, the skulls are constructed of at least nine separate bones. The skulls of snakes have some remarkable adaptations which assist in getting large objects down their throats. This is a handy skill to have as they do not have any means of dismembering their food. Snakes are capable of eating prey larger than their heads. Do not touch the fangs of dead snakes, such as stuffed cobras. Even dead snakes can be dangerous as venom can crystallise within the fang of a dead snake and remain potent for years. Not designed specifically to kill people, although it can. Venom is highly modified saliva and in some species of snakes is crucial to digestion. Highly toxic venom allows snakes to subdue potentially dangerous prey with minimum risk of injury to the snake. Snakes are quite fragile creatures and having their vital survival equipment (eyes and tongues) in close proximity to their mouths means that attacking prey is a dangerous occupation. Snakes have developed venom to subdue their prey as quickly as possible. On snake bite and first aid procedures.**Īll three Tasmanian species are capable of injecting venom, although the venom of the White-lipped snake has never been recorded as causing death to a human. **Please refer to our Living with Snakes web page for information In fact, Copperheads are well known to be cannibalistic, even eating their own babies. There is no maternal bonding between the young and adults. Larger snakes produce more young than smaller females of the same species. On mainland Australia most snake species are at least partially nocturnal, and many are only active at night.Īll Tasmanian snakes bear live young (viviparous). Both Tiger Snakes and Lowland Copperheads can be active on warm nights, so be aware, and use a torch if walking about at night. On very hot days snakes seek shade or water and will occasionally enter houses. Over winter they become inactive and can go for many months without food. Low environmental temperatures generally limit snake activity to the warmer months between October and March. By doing this they can raise their body temperature quickly and become active, even in overcast conditions. The dark colour of many Tasmanian snakes is an adaptation to a cold environment, enabling them to absorb heat more quickly than lighter coloured snakes. Snakes use posturing to warm up and maintain their body temperature, tending to stretch out as temperatures rise and to coil as temperatures drop. By taking advantage of radiant heat emitted from warmed objects and direct or reflected heat from the sun, snakes can raise their body temperature well above the air temperature. Larger snakes take longer to warm and longer to cool. Snakes depend on external sources of heat to raise their body temperature enough to become active, digest food and for the development of young within the body. Their fastest pace on flat ground is about the same as a fast human walk. Although snakes can strike very quickly, they don't travel very fast at all. There are rare reports of Tiger snakes springing from a coiled position and jumping to escape. This method is used when moving slowly over smooth surfaces. Snakes can also move in a caterpillar-like motion, by bunching up the front part of their body, pushing down and pulling the trailing part forward, then bunching up muscles in the back of the body, pressing down and pushing the front part forward. The fastest snakes are the most slender and have the smoothest skin. Snakes can stay submerged for considerable periods. Many species of snake feed on eels, fish and frogs. This is why snakes are excellent swimmers and can actually move faster in water than on land. Snakes move by throwing the body into a series of loops that move in waves from front to back, pushing the snake forward. For Austrelaps superbus the frontal scale is much longer than broad. For Notechis scutatus the frontal scale is almost as broad as long. The middle head scale is a distinguishing feature.
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