Reptile & Amphibian Forums

how exactly does a snake move, i know its some sort of muscles and it uses its ribs too? i'd like to know exactly..and what are some general myths about snakes besides "snakes are slimy"...thanks alot

Dan
Check out this website, should give you all the info you need. Enjoy
Brian

Snake movement

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Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

myths:

they're evil
they unhinge their jaws
they only eat live food
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Most people think they're all venomous...

(They do kinda unhinge their jaws, don't they?)
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

My understanding is that they have flexible ligaments connecting the upper and lower jaw. The quadrate bone (connects upper and lower jaw) works like a double-jointed hinge allowing snakes to open their jaw up to 150 degrees. Also, the front portion of the lower jaws can separate, and the quadrate bone hinge allows the lower jaws to swing apart. I just think for non-herpers, the term 'unhinge' gives them the wrong impression of what happens. I can't tell you how many people have asked me (I volunteer at the zoo) how their upper and lower jaws can totally unhinge/dislocate from eachother without anything connecting them and the snake still have control over their jaws and bring them back together. I just think it's a bit misleading. But once I explain the flexible ligament and quadrate bone it's easier for them to visualize and understand.

Oh another one: they're not 'cold blooded' - there blood is not cold. Many people take that literally and I think that's why it seems there seems to be a lot of people trying to move away from that term and into using "ecothermic".
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Another one: they're not poisonous (at least I don't think any are), the correct term is venoumous.
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"Gimli"

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"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"

That's a battle I don't even try to fight with most people.

At some times some reptiles have warmer blood than people (some lizards bask at well over 100F) so, there you have it, I guess.
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Eryx - All the fun of a boa in a convenient pocket size!

People I explain in to are generally very receptive to hearing the truth and seem to like the idea of learning something new. It always makes them feel comfortable and interested enough to learn more about snakes and ask other questions - which is a great opportunity to try and dispell many of the misconceptions about them. Working at the zoo I'm not afforded the opportunity to just avoid that battle and discussion all together. There have been many times that I've even helped people feel a lot better about snakes that they even proceed to face up to their fear and actually touch them.

I often wonder if the reason many are also trying to move from saying 'cold blooded' to 'ecothermic' is an attempt at trying to keep people from thinking negatively about reptiles.
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Check Out My Albums

1.0 Ball Python
"Aragorn"

1.0 Kenyan Sand Boa
"Gimli"

1.0 Mexican Black Kingsnake
"Indigo"

0.1 Australian Cattle Dog/Pointer
"Kira"