Some snakes coil up then launch their selves towards the prey. Others jump at lightning speed and strike. They coil their bodies around the prey and hold tightly. Then they start slowly eat it whole.
Snakes kill prey before they eat them. Snakes kill by poisoning or squeezing the prey. Some squeeze; this is called constricting. Some poison prey; this is called venom. Snakes like the Black mamba use venom and snakes like the anaconda use constricting.
Snakes have small, sharp teeth. The teeth are slanted back so it can grip its prey. Some have long teeth called fangs. They are long, tube like teeth that inject venom. Venom is a mix of toxins called neuortoxins and hemotoxins.
Snakes eat different food for where they live. Some have a wider variety than others. A snake has to make the most of a meal. It only gets a meal once or twice a month. Its body works at a slow rate, so it can do it for months at a time.
Snakes have 5 senses like us; taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound. They have no ears, but they have an ear-bone at the jaw. It picks up the ground vibrations. They do no have noses. They smell with their tongue. Some snakes also have special senses.
Snakes move fast for animals with no legs. They can weave through branches, climb trees really high, swim through muddy waters, and glide through the air. Snakes aren’t speedy. Most move 2-3 miles per hour. The fastest land snake is the Black Mamba reaching speeds of 7 miles per hour. The backbone gives it the waving movement. Their scales also grip the ground.
About 6 times a year an adult snake will shed its skin. They take of there old skin and replaces it with a new skin. They shed all in one big piece.
Snake Scales stick to the ground. They over lap so there skin is protected. Scales are like thick, strong armor. Scales protect the the skin from bumps, and scratches. the scales help them reach speeds up to 40 mph!
The tortoises have been around the western U.S. deserts for 10,000 years. Scientists have found bowls, toys, and tools made out of tortoise shells. Tortoises have large shells. Tortoise shells are 9-15 in. long. Their back legs are round and have flat bottoms like elephant feet.
Snakes have muscles that they can stretch when they have food that is thicker than them. The backbone and many ribs move with it. They can eat a meal 10 times thicker than themselves. Snakes have 2 lungs but 1 is 10 times bigger than the other one. their stomach is big to digest all the big food. They have a very long, thin liver. The large intestines is slightly coiled.
