Transcript of Snake Skeletal System
The snake's skeleton consists primarily of the skull, vertebrae, and ribs.
Kinetic = movement.
The mandible is joined by an elastic ligament which allows prey larger than the skull to be swallowed.
The Quadrate bone is elongated, allowing mobile expansion. The human jaw is a simple joint that pivots at one place while a snake’s jaw has two pivot points, located at either end of the quadrate bone.
The vertebral column consists of an atlas (composed of two vertebra) without ribs
Snakes have no sternum, which allows for more expansion
Body: precaudal
Tail: caudal (vertebral bones that make up the tails of vertebrates), as no limb girdles for region; the tail begins when no ribs attach
Skull
Vertebrae
An overview...
The Skeletal System of the Snake
Snakes have between 200-400 vertebrae with as many ribs attached. That is what makes them so flexible and helps them move along.
Humans have approximately 33 vertebrae and 24 ribs.
The two sides of a snake's jaw can be moved separately. The structure of their jaws enables most snakes to open the mouth widely and swallow animals that are larger than their own head.