How long does a snake head stay alive after being cut off
A snake’s cleaved head can remain alive and responsive for a short time after being cut-off, but it eventually dies because of no in-flow of blood and oxygen. Generally speaking, a chopped-off head of a snake can stay alive ranging from minutes to an hour depending on the species of the snake. Many a times, smaller snakes live longer than the bigger ones.
Ian O’Grandy narrates using his social media account; ‘In 2014 Chef Peng Fan, a Chinese Chef was preparing a special dish for his hungry customers when the unimaginable happened. He was preparing a dish of a roast cobra and had had the head of the cobra cut off. About 20 minutes later, he picked up the severed head of the cobra to throw it off when it bit and inserted its poison in his hand. people heard him scream from the kitchen and rushed to help him. The effect of the venom was very fast that he died before he could get an anti-venom’.
Key things to note about the life duration of a severed snake head
1. The duration of time varies by species, but on general note a chopped-off snake head can remain alive from minutes up to an hour. research also showed that smaller snakes tend to live longer than the bigger snakes.
2. The severed head of a snake continues to respond to stimuli, sees, smells, even after being chopped-off. Amazingly, it uses stored up oxygen, even without hearts and lungs to hiss, bite, and appear alert.
3. The prolonged reflexes and responses are possible in snakes because they are being controlled by the brain and spinal column, which can function for some time independently of the body. The head ceases to endure for a longer time because blood is not in circulation and breathing is impossible.
4. The Venom glands of severed snake head may continue secreting venom as a reflex if stimulated, even though malnutrition, dehydration, and built up waste products eventually results in the death of the snake’s head.
Summary
Regardless of the fact that the head of the snake is chopped off from its body, the head remains alive for some time. The duration of endurance is dependent on species, sizes of the snake and circumstances.
