Leslie Massey
Snail-eating snakes, or gourmet snakes, are a unique group of reptiles with a highly specialised diet. They are found in the Old World and the New World, with species in the latter ranging from Mexico to Brazil. The jaws of these snakes are specifically adapted to feed on snails and slugs, with long, delicate teeth that can grasp the soft body of the snail and pull it out of its shell without crushing it. This feeding method is known as mandibular sawing. While it is unclear whether Australian snakes eat snails, some Australian snake owners have mentioned feeding garden snails to their pet snakes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Amazonian Snail-Eating Snake, Snail-Eating Snake |
| Subfamily | Xenodontinae |
| Taxonomy | Dipsas indica Laurenti, 1768, Ceylon (in error) |
| Physical Characteristics | Slender snake, about 28 inches (70 cm) in length, with a laterally compressed body and a row of enlarged mid-dorsal scales. The body is gray to brown with large, dark brown blotches arranged in pairs on the sides. |
| Distribution | Tropical South America, from the Amazon Basin to Bolivia and northern Argentina |
| Habitat | Primary and secondary forest |
| Behavior | Highly arboreal, foraging at night |
| Feeding Ecology and Diet | Feeds on snails, extracting them from their shells using their specialized jaws |
| Conservation Status | Not listed by the IUCN, but dependent on tropical forest habitat, which is under threat |
| Significance to Humans | None known |
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What You'll Learn
Some Australian snakes eat snails
Some Australian snakes do eat snails. While most snakes swallow their prey whole, snail-eating snakes have a unique feeding mechanism. They have long, delicate teeth that seize the snail's body, after which the lower jaw moves forward, and the lower teeth draw the snail from its shell. This process usually takes a few minutes, and the shell remains intact.
Snail-eating snakes are typically small, slender, and large-headed, and they are active at night in trees. They are also known as the Amazonian snail-eater or the common name Dipsas Indica, belonging to the subfamily Xenodontinae. They are about 28 inches (70 cm) in length, with a laterally compressed body and enlarged mid-dorsal scales. The body colour ranges from grey to brown, with dark brown blotches arranged in pairs on the sides.
These snakes are found in tropical South America, including the Amazon Basin, Bolivia, and northern Argentina, as well as in Ecuador. They are highly dependent on their forest habitat, which is unfortunately being cleared for timber and agriculture, leading to a decline in their population.
In Australia, snake owners have mentioned feeding their pet snakes, including Bluetongues and Cunningham's skinks, with garden snails. However, there are risks associated with feeding snails collected from the wild, as they may contain poisons or parasites that can be harmful to the snakes.
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Snail-eating snakes are found in South America and Asia
Snail-eating snakes are indeed found in South America and Asia. In South America, they are commonly found in Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and the Amazon Basin. In Asia, they are found in Southern Asia and the Philippines.
Snail-eating snakes are a diverse group of tree-dwelling snakes that have a unique way of feeding. They have long, delicate teeth and modified jaws that allow them to extract snails from their shells without crushing them. The snakes first bite the snail close to its shell, and as the snail retracts into its shell, the snake's jaw is drawn in as well. Then, the snake slowly pulls on the soft body of the snail with its lower jaw, eventually tearing the body away from the shell. This feeding technique is an interesting adaptation that allows snail-eating snakes to exploit a food source with little competition from other snakes.
In South America, snail-eating snakes belong to the subfamily Dipsadinae, which includes the genus Dipsas. There are over 700 known species in this family, and they are found throughout the Amazon Basin, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil. The species Dipsas oswaldobaezi is one of five newly discovered species of snail-eating snakes in Ecuador and Peru. These snakes have uniquely modified jaws that allow them to suck snails out of their shells. Unfortunately, four out of the five newly discovered species are considered endangered or vulnerable due to deforestation and the loss of their natural habitat.
In Asia, snail-eating snakes belong to the subfamily Pareinae, which includes the genus Pareas. There are approximately 16 species of pareines, and they are found in Southern Asia and the Philippines. These snakes are also known as blunt-headed snakes due to their distinctive head shape. While less is known about the specific feeding habits of Asian snail-eating snakes, it is likely that they have similar adaptations to their South American counterparts for extracting snails from their shells.
Overall, snail-eating snakes are a fascinating example of how species evolve to exploit specific ecological niches. Their specialized feeding habits and adaptations allow them to thrive in their respective environments, despite facing threats such as deforestation and habitat loss.
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Snail-eating snakes have unique jaw structures
Snail-eating snakes, also known as Amazonian snail-eaters, have a unique jaw structure that has evolved to allow them to extract snails from their shells. This feeding behaviour is known as 'mandibular sawing', and it involves the snake pushing its lower jaw into the snail's shell and grasping the snail's body with its curved teeth. The snake then slowly pulls on the soft body of the snail, tearing it away from the shell. This process usually takes a few minutes, and the snake is careful not to crush the shell.
The Amazonian snail-eater, or Dipsas indica, is a slender snake about 28 inches (70 cm) in length, with a laterally compressed body and enlarged mid-dorsal scales. It is found in tropical South America, ranging from the Amazon Basin to Bolivia and northern Argentina. This species is highly arboreal and forages at night.
The jaws of snail-eating snakes are so specialised that they can only eat snails or slugs. Their long, delicate teeth are curved to grasp the snail's body, and the lower jaw is highly mobile, able to slide about half the length of the skull. This mobility allows the snake to perform 'mandibular sawing' and extract the snail from its shell without damaging it.
The blunt-headed snail-eating snake, Aplopeltura boa, is another species that exhibits this unique jaw structure and feeding behaviour. CT images of the skull and jaws show that the mandibles can slide independently, with extraordinary movements not typically seen in vertebrates. This species is found in southern Asia and the Philippines.
In addition to the Amazonian snail-eater and the blunt-headed snail-eating snake, there are other species of snail-eating snakes, including the garter snake (Thamnobis sirtalis), which is known to eat snails in captivity. Snails can also be fed to some Australian snakes, such as Bluetongues and Cunningham's skinks, but it is important to ensure that the snails are free of poisons or toxins that could harm the reptiles.
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Snails can be poisonous to snakes
While snails are typically not poisonous and are considered beneficial to the environment, some species of snails can be venomous and therefore dangerous. These snails inject their victims with venom to attack prey and protect themselves.
Cone snails, for example, are venomous and use a harpoon-like tooth to impale and paralyze their prey. Their venom contains hundreds of toxins specifically targeted to immobilize fish, worms, or other molluscs that they eat. The cone snail extends a radula tipped with a harpoon-like tooth coated with venom. The venom contains a cocktail of toxic conotoxins that can subdue prey in seconds. After stunning its prey, the cone snail releases insulin, which separates the flesh from the shell or skin, allowing it to eat the prey.
Other snails, such as the common garden snail, are not considered dangerous. In fact, snails can be beneficial to the environment as they eat dead plants and provide new fertilizer for the land. They can also eat fungi and smaller animals, acting as recyclers in the ecosystem. Additionally, snails can pollinate flowers, similar to bees.
Snail-eating snakes, such as the Amazonian snail-eating snake (Dipsas indica), have evolved to feed specifically on snails. These snakes have long, delicate teeth, and their jaws are modified in a way that allows them to extract the snail from its shell without crushing it. They are highly arboreal and forage at night, making them well-adapted to their snail-eating habits.
While snails may not be poisonous to snail-eating snakes, it is important to note that the toxins present in venomous snails can be dangerous to other animals, including humans.
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Snails are fed to captive snakes in Australia
Some snake owners in Australia have shared their experiences with feeding snails to their pet snakes. One owner feeds garden snails and worms to their Bluetongues and Cunningham's skinks, while another mentions that their Shinglebacks, Bearded Dragon, and Water Dragon also consume snails. It is worth noting that these owners emphasize the importance of avoiding snails that have been near poisons or traps, as mentioned earlier.
Additionally, it is crucial to consider the potential risk of parasites when feeding snails to captive snakes. While the risk of rat lung worm is relatively low in Australia, it is a possibility that should not be overlooked. Rat lung worm is a type of meningitis caused by a parasite, and it can be transmitted to mammals if they consume an infected lizard raw or undercooked. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious and ensure that the snails are sourced from an area without an established population of infected rats.
Overall, snails can be a part of the diet of captive snakes in Australia, but it is important to prioritize the safety and well-being of the snakes by taking the necessary precautions. By isolating snails and ensuring they are free from toxins, snake owners can minimize potential health risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, some Australian snakes eat snails. Reptile owners often feed their pet snakes garden snails.
Snakes have long, delicate teeth at the front of their upper jaw that seize the body of a snail. The lower jaw is then moved forward and the lower teeth are used to draw the snail from its shell as the jaw is retracted. This process is called "mandibular sawing".
Other animals that eat snails include shrews, moles, hedgehogs, birds, toads, salamanders, turtles, and other snails.
