Snake Anatomy

This site maintained by mark f. Snakes belong to the reptile group.

Animal Kingdom Reptiles Snake Anatomy Of A Venomous

So the organs of the snake are also elongated to fit in the body structure the quadrate bones that connect the skull to the lower jaw are long and flexible.

Snake anatomy. Unlike what mammals have the reptile glottis is always closed forming a vertical slit unless the snake takes a breath. Contrary to the popular belief that snakes can dislocate their jaws snakes have a very flexible lower jaw the two halves of which are not rigidly attached and numerous other joints in their skull see snake skull allowing them to open their mouths wide enough to swallow their prey whole even if it is larger in diameter than the snake itself. Snakes like all reptiles are covered in scales that protect them from abrasion or dehydration.

The thick large scales on the belly are called scutes and they help to protect and support the tissues that are in contact with the ground. The scales on the top and sides of the snake are smaller and thinner than those found on the belly side. When you look closely at them they may be different designs based on the species and the habitat where they will be moving around.

The skin of a snake is covered in scales so even though it may look slimy they are very dry and rough. Snake respiratory system anatomy respiratory system snakes have a small opening just behind the tongue called the glottis which opens into the trachea or windpipe. They lack the moveable eyelids limbs sternums urinary bladder and ear openings.

Only two rows are on the lower jaw. A crisp higher resolution of this graphic is contained on australias reptiles cdrom. One is attached to each mandible.

The body of the snake is so narrow and elongated. Nonvenomous snakes have four rows of upper teeth. Two rows attached to the maxillary outer bones and two rows attached to the palatine and pterygoid inner bones.

The scales on the underside of the body are able to easily grip surfaces. Snakes teeth line the inner surfaces of the upper and lower jawbones maxilla and mandible respectively. Anatomy of a snake.

Somso Zos 115 Anatomy Of The Head Of A Venomous Snake