Northern Copperhead Digestive System
The digestive system of the Northern Copperhead Snake is made up of the same parts of the Human digestive system, only obviously much smaller. The snake starts by using it's teeth to cling on to it's prey. The Copperhead Snake has a venom gland that produces digestive enzymes. These enzymes are injected into the prey and begin the breakdown of the prey from the inside immediately. This immediate breakdown helps to speed up digestion which allows the Copperhead to eat larger animals.
Respiratory System
The Northern Copperhead Snake needs oxygen to survive. It breathes oxygen constantly like humans, as it is a land reptile. The oxygen is used for energy. The snakes respiratory system includes the internal and external nostrils, the external nares breathing in the oxygen into the body and the internal nares, located on the roof of the oral cavity, connecting to the mouth. The external and internal nares are connected through the nasal cavity. Along with this nasal cavity, Snakes also have a glottis, trachea, bronchi, lungs, and an air sac. The respiratory system of a snake does not include a diaphragm. At an area close to the base of the heart, the trachea connects with the lung. Lung qualities such as size and function/routine depend on the species of snake. In some cases the left lung doesn't exist in the snake. But if it does it is always smaller than the right lung. The snake does not move around oxygen to breathe it in, it just breathes in the surrounding oxygen. The slim slender body of the snake makes the lungs straight unlike in humans, for a smooth flow of oxygen in and out of the body. The Northern Copperhead has been seen voluntarily swimming in water, so they must be able to hold their breath unless they stay at the surface while swimming. The Northern Copperhead snake inhales oxygen through the external nares that then makes it's way to the lungs, where it is then released back out into the air as carbon dioxide. The oxygen is used for energy in the snake similar to the use of oxygen in humans.