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They are able to swallow prey larger than their head by extending their jaws while swallowing and subsequently getting the jaws together when the swallowing process is finished. Snakes lack appendages to grip and hold prey.

As a result, many species have developed intriguing methods for capturing, immobilizing and killing their prey. Some snakes are able to kill their prey by constriction, thereby suffocating their victim, while others make use of venom that immobilizes their prey.

Some snakes are oviparous and others ovoviviparous. Ovoviviparous snakes lay eggs whilst viviparous snakes retain the eggs in the oviducts until development of the young is complete. In both cases the young are immediately self-sufficient.

Snakes are often camouflaged for better concealment in hunting as well as for their own protection. Snakes have evolved a variety of defense strategies since mammals, birds, and even other snakes prey them upon.

Camouflage coloration may conceal a snake's shape and confuse predators. When threatened, some snakes become immobile or "freeze" as they sense danger.Only a few species of snakes are considered extremely venomous and have a venom that can kill humans The six most venomous terrestrial snakes in Sri Lanka are the Cobra (Naja naja), Russell's Viper (Daboia Russelli), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) and the Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus).

The venom of these snakes can kill a human being. The Hump-nosed Viper (Hypnale hypnale) is called Polon thelissa in Sinhala and Kuzhi Viriya in Tamil. The Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) is called Pala Polonga in Sinhala and Kopi Viriyan in Tamil. These snakes are thought by some to be very venomous but they are not.

Only three species account for 98% of the human deaths in the country. They are the Cobra, Russell's viper and Common Krait. Most snakes are quite harmless and non aggressive. When a venomous snake bites its prey, due to the action of the venom, the prey is paralyzed. This is the main function of the venom. The venom also helps in the digestion of its food.