Defense Mechanism

How do snakes live without limbs?

Without arms or legs, snakes may seem defenseless. When they find food, they cannot hold it in place. Instead, they dislocate their jaws, allowing them to stretch around and swallow animals larger than themselves. Even without arms and legs, snakes have options for movement, such as undulation, sidewinding, and concertina movement. They can also use venom to poison their enemies. Some species can change color slightly based on their environment, helping them blend in and avoid predators. Snakes shed their skin multiple times a year to remove parasites and allow for growth. They can have surprisingly long lives, with some species of pythons living over 30 years in captivity.