What do snakes do with mice? - briefly
Snakes ingest mice whole, using powerful jaw muscles and flexible skulls to accommodate the prey, then secrete digestive enzymes that liquefy the tissue. The animal is broken down over several days, after which the snake expels indigestible remnants as waste.
What do snakes do with mice? - in detail
Snakes capture rodents by striking with rapid, precise movements. The strike delivers venom (in venomous species) or a powerful constriction (in constrictors), immobilizing the prey within seconds. Venomous bites inject toxins that disrupt blood clotting, nervous function, or tissue integrity, leading to swift paralysis. Constrictors coil around the mouse, tightening each breath until the animal can no longer breathe, causing unconsciousness and death.
After subdual, the snake positions the mouse head‑first to facilitate ingestion. The jawbones separate at a hinge, allowing the mouth to expand dramatically; the teeth, often recurved, grip the prey and prevent escape. Muscular peristalsis pushes the animal down the esophagus, where digestive enzymes and gastric acids begin breaking down tissues.
Digestive processing occurs in stages:
- Stomach: Strong acids (pH ≈ 2) and proteolytic enzymes liquefy flesh, while the stomach wall stretches to accommodate the meal.
- Intestine: Enzymes further degrade proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates; nutrients are absorbed through the intestinal lining.
- Excretion: Indigestible parts (bones, fur) are compacted into a cloacal pellet and expelled.
Metabolic rates adjust to the meal size; snakes may remain inactive for days or weeks, reducing energy expenditure while digestion proceeds. The entire sequence—capture, immobilization, ingestion, and digestion—enables snakes to obtain the nutrients required for growth, reproduction, and survival.