Tiny snakes roll four times faster than they slither
In short
- Dwarf reedsnakes in Southeast Asia can roll across the ground at speeds up to four times faster than ordinary slithering.
- Scientists found the snakes coordinate their body movements so the body rotates while the head stays steady.
- The finding describes how the snakes escape, based on the scientists' study.
Why the Good News Desk likes this one
The study explains how a small snake turns its body while keeping its head steady. It is a clear example of how animals solve movement problems with simple, coordinated action. The source reports the discovery but does not describe any practical use yet.
From ScienceDaily
Tiny snakes in Southeast Asia have mastered an extraordinary escape technique: rolling across the ground at speeds up to four times faster than ordinary slithering. Scientists discovered that dwarf reedsnakes accomplish this feat through precisely coordinated body movements that allow their bodies to rotate while their heads remain remarkably stable.
Ask this story
For kids
Some tiny snakes in Southeast Asia can roll across the ground. They can roll up to four times faster than they can slither. Scientists found that their bodies turn while their heads stay very steady. Talk about it: How do you think a snake keeps its head still while its body rolls?
