Scientists have witnessed a never-before-seen behaviour in snakes, in which the serpents slice open toads and eat their organs one-by-one - all while their prey is still alive

Scientists have witnessed a never-before-seen behaviour in snakes, in which the serpents slice open toads and eat their organs one-by-one - all while their prey is still alive.

While most snakes swallow their prey whole, researchers from Denmark have discovered that the small-banded Kukri Snake seems to have evolved a particularly gruesome feeding habit.

During an expedition to Thailand, the researchers documented three occasions where a snake used its teeth to cut open the abdomen of a large poisonous toad, before inserting its entire head in.

The snake then pulled out the toad’s organs one-by-one, in a process that could last for hours.

While the toads struggled to escape, on all occasions their efforts were in vain.

In a fourth case, an adult kukri snake was seen to attack a smaller toad, but this time the serpent swallowed the entire toad.

The reason for this remains unclear, although the researchers suggest that smaller toads may be less toxic, or may simply be easier to swallow whole than larger toads.

Henrik Bringsøe, who led the study, said: “At present, we cannot answer any of these questions, but we will continue to observe and report on these fascinating snakes in the hope that we will uncover further interesting aspects of their biology.”

Thankfully, kukri snakes are harmless to humans, according to the researchers.

Professor Bringsøe added: “However, I wouldn't recommend being bitten by one of those. The thing is that they can inflict large wounds that bleed for hours, because of the anticoagulant agent these snakes inject into the victim's bloodstream.

“Their teeth are designed to inflict lacerations rather than punctures, so your finger would feel as if cut apart!

“This secretion, produced by two glands, called Duvernoy's glands and located behind the eyes of the snakes, are likely beneficial while the snakes spend hours extracting toad organs.”

Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/science/terrifying-snakes-slice-open-toads-22773736

That's a very cruel death for the toad.... Something inside these toads must be very important to the snake

What do we call this one now

Hyenasnake/Snakehyena

Hyake Snena

I hate this very creature

Okay

This kind snake is from south east biafra..

Everyone has his own annoying eating habits

Lies.. Scientists and animations Sha..

Lalasticlala is viewing.


Front page 1 2 3....... Oya gbera

Nairaland is own by a snake man

snake ass niggas

wonders shall never end...

Very commendable of d snake.this should be the Nigeria@60 caption.cos our useless leaders are slicing us open and eating us up while we are still alive

Wow!!

Oga lala how you see these attack..

I don't know if Lala likes or hates snakes

Whether the snake kills or gets killed, it's always FP-worthy

Lol so snakes now move around with knives

Snake don change new method
Before na to swallow every living things that they come across ,
But swallowing a live toad always ends in tears and painful death , because... live toads will choke burst their Damnnnn throat

It's been a very long time I logged in talk less of commenting. But on seeing the snake title with little comments I just had to book space.


And here I am my first comment on a front-page thread. Ave make it in lyf.


But wait o d speed that uncle lala used in catapulting this snake thread to front-page is amazing.

P.S: For those that will bash me for whatever reason, pls I am just bored and just needed to be crazy for a few minutes.

Some people are like Snake.
The only difference is that they walk upright while this crawl.

Lalas should come and confirm first

Yahoo Yahoo snakes.

End time snake

Lalala Lalala Lalala Lalala


Lalala Lalala

Unusual

Hunger raise to power...

Tinueran

Nawa o... those people that eat the inside of bread and throw leave d back... are good examples.

Such a beauty to behold