Post by Beboots on Feb 28, 2006 17:26:35 GMT -5
Well, we're studying the digestive system in Biology right now, and yesterday, Mrs. Padovan was trying to explain ... gack, I forget the term now (ends in "isis"....) but it's how the throat muscles move to swallow food.
Anyway, what does this have to do with how awesome snakes are? Well, one of the students said that it was much easier to see the effect on a snake (you know, when they eat something large, there's a huge bulge, right?), and a guy (Nicholas) offered to bring in one of his snakes (he has another one at home as well - described as being black and yellow), and today he brought in a very small boa constrictor! It was very young, we were told (since it was first block, and he's brought it in his car, he had it balled up in his hands and warming it up with his body heat). It fit neatly in both of his hands (it's total length couldn't be longer than my whole arm).
It was so... cute! Nicholas (the guy who owns her) tried to feed it a live mouse (a white fluffy one, you know), but neither animal was, er... co-operating. He said she was going to shed soon (so her eyes were glazed over - blind), plus she was still cold (we actually have snow, now! Finally!), and she didn't seem particularly interested in eating.
Plus, it was a particularly quick mouse. It actually seemed to be antagonizing the snake. >_<; When Nick held it by the tail to try to entice his snake, it actually bit the snake's head (she was fine, we were told). When we left, they were on opposite sides of the tank he brought the snake in, staring at each other.
So... we never did get to see an example of ... whatever that word was, but it was really awesome to see such a beautiful creature. :)
Anyway, what does this have to do with how awesome snakes are? Well, one of the students said that it was much easier to see the effect on a snake (you know, when they eat something large, there's a huge bulge, right?), and a guy (Nicholas) offered to bring in one of his snakes (he has another one at home as well - described as being black and yellow), and today he brought in a very small boa constrictor! It was very young, we were told (since it was first block, and he's brought it in his car, he had it balled up in his hands and warming it up with his body heat). It fit neatly in both of his hands (it's total length couldn't be longer than my whole arm).
It was so... cute! Nicholas (the guy who owns her) tried to feed it a live mouse (a white fluffy one, you know), but neither animal was, er... co-operating. He said she was going to shed soon (so her eyes were glazed over - blind), plus she was still cold (we actually have snow, now! Finally!), and she didn't seem particularly interested in eating.
Plus, it was a particularly quick mouse. It actually seemed to be antagonizing the snake. >_<; When Nick held it by the tail to try to entice his snake, it actually bit the snake's head (she was fine, we were told). When we left, they were on opposite sides of the tank he brought the snake in, staring at each other.
So... we never did get to see an example of ... whatever that word was, but it was really awesome to see such a beautiful creature. :)
