What specialized diet correlates with the worm snake's rigid skull and reduced, often single, lower jaw teeth?

Answer

Soft-bodied invertebrates, particularly earthworms

The anatomy of the worm snake is profoundly shaped by its commitment to a fossorial niche, specifically targeting soft-bodied invertebrates like earthworms as its primary food source. This diet is directly supported by its unique physical adaptations. Unlike many surface-dwelling snakes that possess kinetic skulls allowing them to swallow relatively large prey items, worm snakes exhibit incredibly rigid skulls. Furthermore, they possess reduced dentition, often having only a single tooth on the lower jaw. Their bony, pointed head functions as an efficient battering ram for soil penetration, entirely consistent with a lifestyle centered around pushing through earth to consume invertebrates.

What specialized diet correlates with the worm snake's rigid skull and reduced, often single, lower jaw teeth?

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