RattleSnake Body Systems
Crotalus atrox
Integumentary system
- they give the snake camouflage.
- provides a water proof and water retaining coat for the snake.
- allows the snake to move and use friction to its advantage.
- they protect the snake as they can poke a predator in an attempt to eat it.
- they create the rattle at the end of the snake's tail.
What is the rattlesnake's scales made of?
- keratin, like our nails.
Bibliography
Papagiorgia, Nicole. "What Is the Function of Scales on Reptiles?" EHow. Demand Media., 09 June 2010. Web. 24 Sept. 2014.
Skeletal System
Skull
Angled teeth (including hollow fangs for venom)
Vertebrate
Ribs
And in some cases, a underdeveloped pelvic bone with "spurs"
-The skull is special for two reasons:
The skull and lower jaw connect at the farthest point in the back, allowing the mouth to open extremely wide.
The two halves of the bottom are not fused, allowing the jaw to split to help swallow larger prey.
Muscular System
-To move food along while digesting (smooth muscles lining the organs)
-For movement
Types of movement include:
-serpentine (also known as slithering)
-sidewinding (found in rattlesnakes that live in the desert with loose sand)
-tail shaking (for the rattle)
Bibliography
Foster, Dr, and Dr Smith. "Snake Anatomy and Physiology." Pet Education. Foster and Smith, Inc., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.
Rattlesnake Nervous System
But the snake has a special sense of smell. It senses things with its Jacobson's organ, an organ found on the roof of its mouth to aid in smelling the air. It gathers the scents with its forked tongue and the organ senses the smells when the snake retracts its tongue.
Rattlesnakes also have a dual-sight system in which including their eyes, the snakes can also "see" infrared images using the sensory organs in its mouth.
Bibliography
"Rattlesnakes - National Wildlife Federation." Rattlesnakes - National Wildlife Federation. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
Dowling, Herndon G. "Reptile (animal)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 31 Oct. 2014.
Ivanyi, Craig. "Rattlesnakes." Rattlesnakes. Association of Zoo & Aquariums, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.
Respiratory System
-trachea
-bronchi
-lungs
-air sac.
Rattlesnakes have two lungs: a right long one (with an large air sac) and a left vestigal lung with no function.
While the front half of the right lung is where gas exchange occurs, the back end of the lung where the air sac lies is a pressure control center for the snake.
Due to the fact that the snake doesn't have a diaphragm, the snakes muscles and ribs allow the snake to gather air into the lung.
It should also be noted that the snakes have a special tube in their mouth called a Glottis that functions as a second airway when the snake is eating something and the food is blocking the main airway.
Bibliography
Foster, Dr, and Dr Smith. "Snake Anatomy and Physiology." Pet Education. Foster and Smith, Inc., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
"Snake Respiratory System." WikiVet. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
Circulatory System
Two atria
One ventricle
-Heart can move around.
Protects it from being hindered by food while feeding.
-Renal Portal System
- Blood passes through kidneys to be filtered before moving on to the main system.
-thymus gland is in charge of the maturation of immune cells in the blood.
Bibliography
MADER, DOUGLAS. "Snake Cardiovascular System Anatomy." Reptiles Magazine. I-5 Publishing, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Foster, Dr, and Dr Smith. "Snake Anatomy and Physiology." Pet Education. Foster and Smith, Inc., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2014.
Endocrine System
-a single thyroid gland
- two thymus glands
- two pairs of parathyroids
- a pair of adrenals
- a pituitary gland
- a pancreas
If a parathyroid is accidentally removed, it can cause hypocalcaemia and tetanic convulsions.
There is a connection between moulting and the thyroid gland.
The thymus decreases in weight as the snake ages.
Digestive System
The esophagus
The stomach
The small intestine
The colon
The liver
The gallbladder
The pancreas
The esophagus has very little muscle, and most movement is made by the movement of the snake's body.
The stomach and small intestine are very simple in anatomy.
The liver is the largest organ in the body.
Bibliography
"Snake Endocrine System." WikiVet. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.
Foster, Dr, and Dr Smith. "Snake Anatomy and Physiology." Pet Education. Foster and Smith, Inc., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.
Excretory System
- elongated
- the right is closer to the head than the left.
Snakes lack a urinary bladder so the urine isn't stored.
Food from the colon is emptied into the cloaca along with the urine and excreted there.
Bibliography
Reproductive system
Have gonads
-females: ovaries
-males: testes
Right gonad is closer to the head than the left
Rattlesnakes are oviparous
-they produce eggs
Snakes lack a epidiymides
The males have a organ called hemipenes that is also present in females.
- May have a part to hold onto the female during fertilization.
Bibliography
"Snake Reproductive System." WikiVet. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Dec. 2014.
Foster, Dr, and Dr Smith. "Snake Anatomy and Physiology." Pet Education. Foster and Smith, Inc., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.