News Animals

A little snake’s big gulp may put all other snakes to shame

Compared with other species, the Gans’ egg-eater can open its mouth the widest relative to its size

A beige snake has an egg inside its throat.

The Gans’ egg-eater doesn’t have to worry about biting off more than it can chew, when it swallows its meals whole.

Bruce Jayne

By Maria Temming

Hulking hunters like Burmese pythons may be famous for scarfing up deer, alligators and other enormous prey (SN: 11/25/15). But one unassuming little African snake may take the title for most outsized meals.