![]() It is thought that this last-ditch defence may be enough to persuade a predator to think twice and allow the mock viper to slither to safety. ![]() These “elliptical pupils” are typical of actual vipers in the area. When threatened with imminent danger, the mock viper alters the shape of its pupil from round to a thin, vertical slit. ![]() This disguise is not enough for these snakes, though. To counter this and intimidate would-be predators, the mock viper earns its name by physically resembling a viper, possessing the well-defined triangular head that characterises real vipers in the area. Living in the forested areas of south and southeast Asia, the mock viper is surrounded by dangerous animals such as leopard cats and is subject to the possibility of being eaten on a daily basis. While it is gifted with one of the most impressive scientific names of any snake – Psammodynastes pulverulentus, a mixture of ancient Greek and Latin meaning “dusty sand ruler” – the mock viper, unlike the puff adder, does not possess deadly venom. This hunting strategy is known as lingual luring. To frogs, juicy worms are irresistible, and their eagerness to eat them leads them straight into the waiting mouth of the viper. Upon spotting a frog nearby, the puff adder begins flicking its tongue unusually slowly, seemingly mimicking a small worm. Puff adders are successful predators of small mammals, lizards, frogs and birds, but until recently one secret to their success was unknown. Widespread across the grassy woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula is a chunky venomous snake called the puff adder ( Bitis arietans), so named for its habit of hissing loudly when disturbed. Moving like this is thought to benefit snakes which spend time underground in narrow holes, allowing them to squeeze into animal burrows in search of refuge or prey. A frightened snake in need of speed will revert to a more typical mode of locomotion. This allows the snake to move forward at nearly constant speed, but they only do it when they are relaxed. Meanwhile, the second shortens the skin as the belly scales move forward and come together, before pinning them in place as the third set brings the spinal column forward. Three sets of muscles work in union, with the first yanking the belly skin and scales forward. Until recently, it was a mystery how they accomplished this, but new research demonstrates that Boa constrictors and other heavy bodied snakes use their belly scales like a tyre tread to seamlessly progress in a straight line. But some can travel in a perfectly straight line. The majority of snakes bend their spines and exert force on the ground, trees, or water with the bends in their body or the edges of their coils to move. Many of us fear their slithering ways and researchers have found evidence which suggests that humans have evolved a tendency to spot snakes more easily than other animals.īut there are more than 3,500 species of snake in the world, and they have been around for 167m years – so they must be doing something right.Īlthough it seems strange to us, snakes’ lack of legs mean that they have evolved numerous fantastic techniques to survive, making ingenious use of their cylindrical forms. Do a quick search for “snakes” in the news and you’ll find people terrified, bitten or, sadly, killed by these creatures.
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