Watch as our gaboon viper swallows a rat whole! Eating prey whole may seem difficult without hands, but snakes have it down to a science. A snake’s upper jaw is not fused to the skull. Instead, it is connected to the braincase by muscles, ligaments, and tendons, allowing for much more mobility. The lower jaw bones aren’t fused at the front, so they can move independently of one another. Once ready to eat, the snake opens its mouth wide and begins to “walk” its lower jaw over the prey - one side

Gaboon Viper snake yawns with jaw fully stretched out after eating prey - side profile

Gaboon Viper