The secret of a snake's slither
Snake locomotion may seem simple compared to walking or galloping. But in reality, it's no easy task to move without legs. view more (2009-06-10)
The Evolution of Aversion: Why even children are fearful of snakes
Some of the oldest tales and wisest mythology allude to the snake as a mischievous seducer, dangerous foe or powerful iconoclast; however, the legend surrounding this proverbial predator may not be based solely on fantasy. As scientists from the University of Virginia recently discovered, the common fear of snakes is most likely intrinsic. view more (2008-02-28)
Toad tadpoles and the 'Laurel and Hardy' effect
Research at the University of Kent has revealed a remarkable phenomenon among tadpoles of the Mallorcan midwife toad, one of Europe's most threatened species. The researchers, from the University's Durrell Institute for Conservation and Ecology, (DICE) have discovered that the toad tadpoles can change shape when they smell snakes swimming nearby.... view more... (2003-10-20)
Nonvenomous Asian snakes 'borrow' defensive poison from toxic toads
Most snakes are born with poisonous bites they use for defense. But what can non-poisonous snakes do to ward off predators? view more (2007-01-31)
Not just your imagination: The brain perceives optical illusions as real motion
Ever get a little motion sick from an illusion graphic designed to look like it's moving? A new study suggests that these illusions do more than trick the eye; they may also convince the brain that the graphic is actually moving. view more (2009-02-03)
Many pet snakes are venomous!
Big trouble for the European and US pet snake trade Dr. Bryan Grieg Fry of the Australian Venom Research Unit at the University of Melbourne has discovered that the number of venomous snakes in the world is not around 250 but actually closer to 2700. In his research into the evolution of snake venom, he discovered that venom goes back much... view more... (2003-08-25)
Zoologists: Sea snakes seek out freshwater to slake thirst
Sea snakes may slither in saltwater, but they sip the sweet stuff. So concludes a University of Florida zoologist in a paper appearing this month in the online edition of the November/December issue of the journal Physiological and Biochemical Zoology. view more (2008-11-07)
Another New Spitting Cobra Discovered
When staff at the Reptile House in London Zoo thought they had an unidentified species of cobra on their hands, they turned to an expert in snake species identification- Dr Wolfgang Wüster of the University of Wales, Bangor's School of Biological Sciences for assistance. Dr Wüster, who has been involved in the identification of three... view more... (2003-06-30)
Squirrels Use Snake Scent
California ground squirrels and rock squirrels chew up rattlesnake skin and smear it on their fur to mask their scent from predators, according to a new study by researchers at UC Davis. view more (2007-12-20)
New research suggests Burmese pythons will find little suitable habitat outside South Florida
Burmese Pythons - one of the largest snakes in the world - may have chosen Florida as a vacation destination, but are unlikely to expand further. view more (2008-08-13)
Researchers track snakes to study populations, behavior
A researcher for Washington University in St. Louis, along with colleagues at the Saint Louis Zoo and Saint Louis University are tracking timber rattlesnakes in west St. Louis County and neighboring Jefferson County. view more (2007-06-20)
World's smallest snake found in Barbados
The world's smallest species of snake, with adults averaging just under four inches in length, has been identified on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The species -- which is as thin as a spaghetti noodle and small enough to rest comfortably on a U.S. quarter --was discovered by Blair Hedges, an evolutionary biologist at Penn State. view more (2008-08-04)
When Cobras Spit, There's Not a Dry Eye in the House
Spitting cobras spit their venom into the faces of potential attackers - according to some reports even across a distance of several metres. This venomous cocktail of toxins hits the victim's eyes surprisingly often and may leave them blinded. University of Bonn zoologists have discovered how the snakes optimise their accuracy rate: while they are... view more... (2005-02-09)
The first gene-encoded amphibian toxin isolated
Researchers in China have discovered the first protein-based toxin in an amphibian -a 60 amino acid neurotoxin found in the skin of a Chinese tree frog. This finding may help shed more light into both the evolution of amphibians and the evolution of poison. view more (2009-08-18)
Report Documents the Risks of Giant Invasive Snakes in the U.S.
Five giant non-native snake species would pose high risks to the health of ecosystems in the United States should they become established here, according to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report released today. view more (2009-10-14)
Discovery of a water snake that startles fish in a way that makes them flee into its jaws
Forget the old folk tales about snakes hypnotizing their prey. The tentacled snake from South East Asia has developed a more effective technique. view more (2009-06-19)
War between the sexes influences evolution in some species, say scientists
Competition and conflict between males and females start inside the egg in some species, say scientists. view more (2006-04-07)
A new treatment against snake bites in Africa
Snake bites are a considerable public health problem in Africa. Each year, a million people are bitten and 20 000 die from the poisonous effects of venom on that continent. Aventis Pasteur has recently put on the market a new antidote, the antivenin FAV-AfriqueTM, which underwent clinical testing in Cameroon by research scientists from the... view more... (2000-11-17)
Prehistoric fossil snake is largest on record
Scientists have recovered fossils from a 60-million-year-old South American snake whose length and weight might make today's anacondas seem like garter snakes. view more (2009-02-05)
Brown tree snake could mean Guam will lose more than its birds
In the last 60 years, brown tree snakes have become the embodiment of the bad things that can happen when invasive species are introduced in places where they have few predators. Unchecked for many years, the snakes caused the extinction of nearly every native bird species on the Pacific island of Guam. view more (2008-08-11)
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