Quote:
Originally Posted by razeraze
I was confused as to why snakes can handle larger meals in the wild than in captivity, can eat more frequently in the wild than in captivity and do not regurgitate no matter how many chickens they eat when they break into a chicken farm.
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I have seen ZERO research to support that they eat larger meals, eat more frequently, and don't regurge. If you have VIABLE papers supporting these statements, I would love to see them. But I am not aware of any research that includes following around snakes to see what they eat, when, how often, and if it is regurgitated. Most research that I am aware of is based on specimens at the time of capture or through radio tracking which gives scattered data best since they are not "tracked" so much as randomly found. Other "data" regarding oversize meals usually comes from photos from unknown sources (and generally a dead snake). Take the infamous photo of the Afrock on the electric fence. We have no idea if the animal would have regurged if it had not died. This type of evidence about oversize prey is scattered at best.
So you ask "why snakes can handle larger meals in the wild than in captivity, can eat more frequently in the wild than in captivity and do not regurgitate"? I ask to show me that these circumstances even happen with regularity. Because I am not aware of any research published to support your position.
In actuality, we have probably seen more snakes pull off extraordinary feeding accomplishments in captivity than anyone ever will see in the wild. Perhaps we see regurgitation more in captivity because there is someone there to see it. The snake can't just crawl back into the jungle.
