How are the two halves of a snake's lower jaw connected during feeding?
Answer
By a highly elastic ligament
Snakes possess kinetic skulls where the bones are loosely connected, a critical adaptation for their feeding mechanism. Specifically concerning the lower jaw, the two halves are not fused at the chin joint as they are in many other vertebrates. Instead, they are joined by a highly elastic ligament. This anatomical structure allows the two halves of the lower jaw to spread widely and move independently of each other, enabling the snake to effectively unhinge its jaws and swallow prey items that are substantially larger than its own head.
Related Questions
What specialized scales provide friction for serpentine motion in snakes?What process allows snakes to grow and clear away parasites?How are the two halves of a snake's lower jaw connected during feeding?What term describes the generally uniform tooth shape found in snakes?What protects the snake's eye, leading to an inability to blink?Where is the Jacobson’s organ located for directional smell and taste processing?What physiological compromise regarding lungs is common in snakes?Which snake species is noted for reaching lengths exceeding twenty feet?What feature distinguishes keeled scales from smooth scales on a snake?What specialized receptors do pit vipers use to detect infrared radiation?