Nature Knickknacks

Why does the black rat snake swallow a mouse whole? Under normal circumstances it is hard to see the teeth of a snake. If you look at snake skeleton (or a picture of one in a book) it will show that the teeth are long and thin and curved slightly backwards. A snake's teeth are not designed for biting off chunks of food, but they work very well to prevent live prey from wiggling back out of the snake's mouth. A snake can swallow prey up to three times the size of its head because the mouth opens very wide when the jaws unhinge (disarticulate). The bottom jaw can also expand at the front, and the bones of the skull even slide apart slightly under the pressure of a very large meal! This is a question often asked at MOS by students who observe the feeding habits of the snake in captivity at shool. We invite you to submit your questions to "Nature Knickknacks" : webmanager@mohicanoutdoorschool.org

from Michele:
Why are there so many ladybugs this fall? One is crawling across my computer as I type. Insect populations build up all summer and peak in the fall, and with all the warm weather we have had, many insects are still actively crawling around. Lady bugs are experts at finding ways into houses to overwinter. On warm days they usually fly to window sills and doorways. As long as the weather is above freezing, you can safely put them back outside. Contrary to folk belief, an abundance of insects does not foretell the winter weather!

from Kristi:
What do snakes do in the winter? Since snakes are cold-blooded animals (body temp the same as the environment), snakes in Ohio must find a place to spend the winter where they will not be exposed to freezing temperatures. Appropriate dens might include narrow crevices in rocks, animal burrows, holes under trees and stumps, under wood piles, and occasionally in basements. Often many snakes -- even several different species -- will be found together, and it is not unusual for snakes to return to the same den in succeeding years. Snakes can remain virtually motionless at 35-40 degrees for about 4 months, living off their body fat.