<P> After eating , snakes become dormant while the process of digestion takes place . Digestion is an intense activity , especially after consumption of large prey . In species that feed only sporadically , the entire intestine enters a reduced state between meals to conserve energy . The digestive system is then ' up - regulated ' to full capacity within 48 hours of prey consumption . Being ectothermic ( `` cold - blooded '' ) , the surrounding temperature plays a large role in snake digestion . The ideal temperature for snakes to digest is 30 ° C ( 86 ° F ) . So much metabolic energy is involved in a snake 's digestion that in the Mexican rattlesnake ( Crotalus durissus ) , surface body temperature increases by as much as 1.2 ° C ( 2.2 ° F ) during the digestive process . Because of this , a snake disturbed after having eaten recently will often regurgitate its prey to be able to escape the perceived threat . When undisturbed , the digestive process is highly efficient , with the snake 's digestive enzymes dissolving and absorbing everything but the prey 's hair ( or feathers ) and claws , which are excreted along with waste . </P>
<P> After eating , snakes become dormant while the process of digestion takes place . Digestion is an intense activity , especially after consumption of large prey . In species that feed only sporadically , the entire intestine enters a reduced state between meals to conserve energy . The digestive system is then ' up - regulated ' to full capacity within 48 hours of prey consumption . Being ectothermic ( `` cold - blooded '' ) , the surrounding temperature plays a large role in snake digestion . The ideal temperature for snakes to digest is 30 ° C ( 86 ° F ) . So much metabolic energy is involved in a snake 's digestion that in the Mexican rattlesnake ( Crotalus durissus ) , surface body temperature increases by as much as 1.2 ° C ( 2.2 ° F ) during the digestive process . Because of this , a snake disturbed after having eaten recently will often regurgitate its prey to be able to escape the perceived threat . When undisturbed , the digestive process is highly efficient , with the snake 's digestive enzymes dissolving and absorbing everything but the prey 's hair ( or feathers ) and claws , which are excreted along with waste . </P>
where does a snake get its energy from
where does a snake get its energy from
the snake 's digestive enzymes dissolving and absorbing everything but the prey 's hair ( or feathers ) and claws
the snake 's digestive enzymes dissolving and absorbing everything but the prey 's hair ( or feathers ) and claws