Egg-eating snakes differ from other snakes in that they don’t eat insects, rodents, or other small animals like most snakes do.
These snakes prefer fresh bird eggs – such as those from finches, quails or small chickens. Their specialized spinal system allows them to break down the egg’s shell with ease.
African Egg-Eating Snakes
African egg-eating snakes are primarily nocturnal hunters. They feed off of birds’ eggs in the wild and may climb trees or seek shelter under rocks, logs or other objects. These reptiles tend to live along savannas or semi-desert areas in Africa but may also be found elsewhere with suitable habitat.
Egg-eating snakes differ from other snakes in that they are nonvenomous and rarely bite humans. When threatened, these reptiles rub their scales together to produce a hissing sound designed to scare away predators.
These nonvenomous snakes are native to Africa and belong to the subfamily Dasypeltinae of the family Colubridae. With 17 species in total, you can find them throughout most regions of Africa.
Once these snakes locate an egg, their jaws can wrap around it and transport it into their stomach. Their special ligaments in their mouth and neck enable them to swallow the egg whole without breaking it.
Their jaws are remarkably distensible, enabling them to fit an egg as large as a chicken’s into their mouth. Once inside, the egg is crushed by bony protrusions in their jaw and its contents absorbed by the creature.
Egg-eating snakes make excellent pets for reptile enthusiasts, but it is essential to provide them with appropriate housing and food. They can thrive in simple enclosures without needing extreme temperatures or high humidity levels.
Indian Egg-Eating Snakes
Egg-eating snakes are a group of species that have evolved to feed exclusively on birds’ eggs. These serpents can be found throughout Africa and the Middle East, belonging to two genera – Dasypeltis and Elachistodon.
They possess bony spikes on their inside spines which they use to break eggs open and consume both the white, yolk and shell of an egg. Furthermore, they frequently regurgitate any empty shells they encounter – hence why they’re sometimes referred to as “egg suckers”.
Indian egg-eating snakes are rare in captivity, so they usually don’t make great pets. Regardless, they make great additions to any reptile collection and require minimal care while being in captivity!
These snakes are docile and non-venomous, making them ideal for novice reptile owners. Additionally, since they lack teeth, they’re less likely to bite you or your children if they do try to attack.
To keep an egg-eating snake happy and healthy, set up a vivarium with two temperature zones at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit each. Additionally, provide hide boxes on either side of the enclosure so your snake can thermoregulate by moving between different temperature zones in its environment.
To complete your vivarium, add some plants and live food. Be sure to change their environment regularly; this will keep them engaged and stimulated.
Dasypeltis
Dasypeltis snakes are the largest genus of snakes that exclusively feed on bird eggs. There are 17 species found across sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Dasypeltis scabra, commonly known as the African Rhombic Egg Eater, is a colubrid snake that feeds on the eggs of various bird species. Its specialized vertebral hypapophyses allow it to puncture the shells of these eggs and then regurgitates them after ingestion.
This type of snake is typically nocturnal and can be found in a variety of habitats, such as forested areas or rocky outcroppings. It has excellent climbing skills; it will scale trees to steal birds’ nests.
These snakes are non-venomous and rarely bite. With greatly reduced teeth, they appear almost toothless when threatened. When provoked, they will hiss and wriggle wildly to defend themselves. Additionally, they frequently perform saw-scaling – whereby they quickly rub their scales together to produce a rasping noise as a protective measure.
Rhombic egg eaters can be found in the exotic pet trade, though their specific dietary needs make them challenging to keep in captivity. They should be provided with a reliable source of food such as finch or quail eggs to establish their diet. Once established, these snakes make hardy and easy-to-care-for pets.
