If you have ever come across a snake before then you are
probably quite aware that these can be rather intimidating
creatures to say the least. It is not only about their odd shape
and slithery way in which they move around; it is also about the
size of their jaws, which includes their teeth.
Snakes have jaws that can expand quite extensively and sharp
teeth that can really do damage to whatever they bite into. It
is traits like these that make them very intimidating for the
vast majority of people who come in contact with them.
With sharp teeth like that it is only natural that snakes would
be quite hostile and prone to bite. It wouldn’t really make any
sense for a reptile like this to have such incredibly sharp
teeth if they were never put into use, which is why the snake’s
propensity to bite is something that makes perfect sense.
However, you may wonder why it is that a snake bites at all? The
answer is quite simple once you think about.
First of all, snakes are carnivores, which means that they eat
meat as a main portion of their diet. To obtain that meet snakes
must hunt, capture, and be able to kill and tear apart their
prey to be able to use it for sustenance. This is where its
teeth come in handy.
The jaw of a snake is made to allow it to expand, making it so
that it can actually get hold of an animal that is larger than
itself. The snake will then sink its teeth into its potential
prey and then hold down until it has completely subdued and even
killed its potential meal.
For some snakes, once they are able to sink their teeth into the
prey, there are special glands in their mouth that secrete of
venom into the animal they have captured. This venom affects the
prey in one of four ways, either shutting down its heart,
paralyzing it, destroying cells, or constricting blood vessels
so that blood will not flow. Any one of these toxins secreted
into the prey will lead to paralysis and eventually death. This
then allows the snake to be able to eat its victim as food.
Even if a snake is unable to secrete venom, the sharp teeth that
enable it to down on the victim quite extraordinary. Some snakes
have teeth that are nearly an inch in length, allowing them to
get quite a substantial grip on whatever animal they are
attempting to subdue.
Biting is not only used together food, however. Male snakes will
also use their enormous teeth in battle when one male is trying
to establish its dominance over other males. The teeth allow it
to scare off if not force the other male into submission, and
can even be used to kill if necessary.
Because a snake can be quite ruthless, its ability to bite is a
key part of why it is such a successful aggressor. Its teeth
make it so that it can cause damage to virtually any animal that
it bites into, even to human beings.
Of course, the biting of a snake is not only limited to
aggressive action. In fact, when a snake is in a courtship
period, the biting can be a form of petting used to attract the
female, and can even enable the male to maintain its grip over
the female while copulation is occurring. By sinking his teeth
into the female, the male is able to maintain his grip
especially early on during the copulation process. Once he has
successfully inseminated the female he simply lets go without
causing any damage to the female.
For more information about Why do snakes bite?, go to my Snake
Removal - How to Get Rid of Snakes home page.
More articles about snakes:
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venomous snake?
What is a snake’s mating habits, when do
they have babies or lay eggs?
How do snakes kill their prey?
Do snakes always inject venom when they
bite?
Venomous snake vs poisonous
snake
Do snakes run out of venom?
How do snakes
produce venom?
What is the Deadliest Snake in the
United States