Debunked Fact Animals Biology

Snakes Unhinge Their Jaws to Swallow Prey

Snakes don't unhinge; their jaw bones are loosely connected allowing extreme stretching

Snakes can unhinge or dislocate their jaw to swallow large prey whole.

Snake jaws don't unhinge in the literal sense of disconnection. Instead, their jaw bones are connected by extremely flexible ligaments and muscles that allow the jaw to stretch enormously, often to 150% wider than the snake's body. The snake's lower jaw halves can move independently. The flexibility is biomechanical, not a matter of dislocation.

Believed Since 1950
Year Revised 2005
Why Changed Oversimplification
Confidence Revised
Region Worldwide

Reception

7/10
6/10

Sources

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