Skip to main content

Common Egg Eating Snake

Dasypeltis scabra
The Common Egg Eating Snake is one of six interesting non-venomous species that consumes only bird eggs. This particular snake is found in sub-Saharan Africa, living typically in grassland habitats... though they are also common in urban areas.

But let's talk about their eating habits! These snakes are able to consume eggs that are three times the size of their heads. Before swallowing they will first test out the egg with their tongue, making sure that it is not rotten. They also aren't huge fans of fertilized and developing eggs.

If the egg passes the inspection the snake will then wrap its body around it, in order to hold it in place. It then places its mouth over the thinner end of the eggs, using its amazing jaw to take the entire thing in. The snakes then use specialized bony projections to puncture the egg and swallow the contents. After the egg is drained the shell is regurgitated up.

Common Egg Eating Snakes are sometimes kept in captivity, where they are fed quail eggs and even yout run of the mill chicken eggs.

IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Sub-Saharan Africa
Size : Length up to 35in (90cm)
Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Squamata
Family : Colubridae -- Genus : Dasypeltis -- Species : D. scabra

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bornean Orangutan

The Bornean Orangutan is one of two extant Orangutan species in the world. It is the third largest primate (after Gorillas) and is the largest primarily tree-dwelling animal in the world. Males are substantially larger than females, and average at around 165lbs. Bornean Orangutans are largely solitary. A handful might live within a small range but they will seldom interact with one another. Males and females only meet up to breed, which happens only once every several years. A young Orangutan will stay with it's mother for about five years, and the females tend to go about eight years between births. That is the longest interim period of any animal! Sadly, the Bornean Orangutans are in a lot of trouble. They need large forests in order to thrive, and deforestation and habitat degradation has left many homeless. They are also hunted for meat and for traditional medicines. Conservation areas are being established to help these guys in the wild, and it is believed that there are a

Four!

For anyone who was counting, yesterday was our birthday-- four years! Four years filled with animals from A to Z, more than 1,100 of them! I can't thank my readers enough, it's been wonderful! And in celebration of that milestone... I'm taking a break. Hopefully not forever, but for a little bit at least. In the mean time I plan on getting a new layout out, along with some updates to some of the older articles. I'll post updates here and on the Facebook page, I'm also brainstorming some new animal-related projects, so keep an eye out! Thanks again for four awesome years!

Halloween Crab

Gecarcinus quadratus The Halloween Crab goes by many names, including the Red Land Crab, Whitespot Crab, and Moon Crab. I personally like Halloween Crab though, since it really reflects the interesting colors. They have black carapaces, orange-red legs, and purple claws! Halloween Crabs live in the Pacific coast mangroves and forests of Central and South America. They actually live in the forests as adults, and return to the ocean in order to reproduce. Did you know that they live as far away as 18 miles (30km)  from water? Not where you normally think Crabs to be! While living in the forest, the Crabs forage nocturnally for different plant matter, including leaves and sapling. They also dig long burrows into the ground for protection. These burrows can measure nearly 5 ft long! Halloween Crabs are sometimes kept in captivity, and can be very tricky pets due to their excellent climbing skills. IUCN Status :  Not Listed Location :   Cent