26 Q 12

How do snakes and crocodilians breathe when their mouths are full of food?

Crocodiles and alligators have a elongate robust well-reinfroced skull and massive jaw arranged to provide a wide gape and rapid powerful closure with a secondary palate which allows them to breathe with food or water in their mouths. Since a snake must keep brathing during the slow process of swallowing, its tracheal opening (glottis)is thrust forward between the two mandibles.

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