Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 1 day ago
Small Southeast Asian snakes roll to escape danger
Small Pseudorabdion snakes in Southeast Asia roll to escape threats.
When threatened, they curl their heads and tails inward, then thrust their bodies forward in repeated flips, moving like a rolling wheel.
Researchers at Toho University in Japan filmed three species and found they reached up to 3.69 metres per second, about four times the fastest recorded crawling speed.
They could also keep moving in a straight line along a path just 20 centimetres wide.
As their rear bodies spin, their heads stay mostly steady and face forward, helping them keep track of their surroundings and control their direction.
The movement may help them get away from predators, especially in open areas, but why only some related snakes use it remains unknown.
Researchers plan to study the anatomical and nervous-system mechanisms behind the rolling escape.
Small Southeast Asian snakes can roll like wheels to escape perceived danger, a study reports.
The snakes curl their heads and tails toward their bodies, then propel themselves forward in repeated rolls.
Researchers recorded rolling speeds of 1.72 to 3.69 metres per second, about four times the highest measured crawling speed.
They found the snakes could keep moving in a straight direction on a track just 20 centimetres wide while holding their heads mostly steady.
The study says the behaviour may help the snakes escape predators, but why it occurs in only some related snakes remains unknown.
- Who
- Small snakes in the Pseudorabdion genus, including Pseudorabdion longiceps.
- What
- They roll repeatedly to move away from danger, reaching speeds about four times their highest measured crawling speed.
- When
- The behaviour occurs when the snakes sense a threat. Researchers observed three species between 2019 and 2022.
- Where
- The snakes live in Southeast Asia; researchers from Toho University in Japan studied the movement.
- Why
- The rolling may help the snakes escape predators quickly. The reason only some related snakes use it is not known.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Scientists observed and recorded the behaviour of three Pseudorabdion snake species.
Reports described the study findings, including the snakes’ rolling speeds and ability to maintain direction.
- Rolling speed
- 1.72–3.69 metres per second
- Speed compared with crawling
- About four times the highest measured crawling speed
- Track width
- 20 centimetres
- Research institution
- Toho University, Japan
- Species observed
- Pseudorabdion saravacense, Pseudorabdion collaris and Pseudorabdion longiceps
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