Measurements revealed the snakes actually grew longer during the fast. Growth especially was noticed in the head.
"Larger head bones mean that they can choose from a wider range of potential prey items," he said, noting that snakes cannot chew and therefore must be able to swallow whole animals.
The chemical analysis determined the snakes break down saturated fatty acids into polyunsaturated fats by "picking off bits of hydrogen for energy."
Intestinal fat, which he likened to "belly fat" in humans, as well as fatty liver tissues were among the first to be targeted. As a byproduct, water formed in the snakes' bodies, causing them to "bloat" by around 7 percent.
Then the snakes would digest their own heart muscle.
The heart breakdown initially surprised McCue, but he said it is reasonable given that "the lower energy expenditure allows lower circulatory demands, and therefore permits the heart organ to shrink."
Immediately following a nutritious meal, the snake hearts can quickly rebuild themselves.
Aaron Rundus, a University of Nebraska researcher who has also studied snakes, said he was surprised to learn snakes can survive without eating for up to two years, but, "I completely believe it, and the physiological mechanisms make sense given how successful these reptiles are at surviving under the worst of conditions."
Rundus explained to Discovery News that snakes are "ambush hunters," as opposed to "strategists," so they must wait for incredibly long periods before an unsuspecting victim may cross their paths.
McCue hopes future studies on snake starvation will lead to treatments that can increase food deprivation tolerance in other animals, including humans.
Related Links:
American International Rattlesnake Museum
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Maltrition and Starvation in Animals
World Wildlife Fund on Reptile Trade and Endangered Reptiles
