Venomous Snakes

[parvez]

(10-19-2016, 12:06 AM)Spalea Wrote:

(10-18-2016, 06:10 PM)parvez Wrote: Is it true that snakes do not eat dead food? They only eat the prey which they have killed. I have heard that they do not eat the dead prey from many people. Please anyone reply if it is true or false?

I believe that is logical... Venom and gastric juices are needed for the digestion, but the snakes needs to kill the prey it want to eat. If the prey is already dead, the venom (logically helping the digestion) cannot be injected into the corpse because it will not be able to flow inside the body (blood circulation out of order). If the venom is useless, so are the gastric juices useless for the digestion.

In short, snakes need to kill their prey, to feel the heat of the prey's body.

And the snake cannot afford to waste the venom which is precious.

That is why in the zoo, living animals (mouses or rabbits) are always given for the snakes' meals... When the visitors are gone.

Thanks for the reply @Spalea and great explanation and logic as well    . So, you believe that unless venom is not secreted in some way or injected into the body its digestive system does not get activated? That is an interesting process. I have read that venom gives digestion process a kick start. And also according to your assumption unless when the snake does not feel the heat of the body of prey it's digestive system does not get activated. That is some long and interesting process also considering the fact that snake is an ancient animal. We need to get more confirmation from experts on this topic. We can have more information on the digestive systems of venomous animals or ancient animals in general. Thanks again spalea Reply