Enteric neuroanatomy and smooth muscle activity in the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).

The structure of the ENS, and patterns of gastric and colonic contractile activity of Crotalus atrox are strikingly different from mammalian models. However, the main excitatory and inhibitory pathways appear to be conserved. Future studies have to explore how the observed differences are an adaptation to the particular feeding strategy of the snake.