The expansion of the jaw enables the snake to swallow prey much larger than its head.

They swallow prey rather than biting pieces off it.

Moray eels' heads are too narrow to create the negative pressure most fishes use to swallow prey.

This loose joint let it swallow huge prey.

Certain snakes can swallow prey much larger than themselves.

They can swallow smaller prey, up to the size of a goat, whole.

Finally, the gills are exposed to the outside, allowing the fish to continue respiring while slowly swallowing large prey.

It has teeth so large it must open its mouth to make the jaws vertical before it can swallow prey.

Dead specimens have been recovered that had apparently choked trying to swallow too-large prey.

The skull of a snake is a very complex structure, with numerous joints to allow the snake to swallow prey far larger than its head.