大部分的爬蟲動物缺乏次生顎,所以當牠們進食時,無法同時呼吸。鱷魚已發展出骨質次生顎,使牠們可在半隱沒至水中時持續呼吸,並防止嘴中的獵物掙扎時,傷及腦部。石龍子科也演化出骨質次生顎。Snakes took a different approach and extended their trachea instead. Their tracheal extension sticks out like a fleshy straw, and allows these animals to swallow large prey without suffering from asphyxiation