WIRED · Video summary
Herpetologist Answers Snake Questions
Frank Burbrink, curator of herpetology at the American Museum of Natural History, answers common questions about snakes, including why they flick their tongues, how they reproduce, and which movies get snakes right.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key takeaways
- 👅Snakes use their forked tongues to sample chemicals in the air, allowing them to detect prey, predators, and mates by comparing signal strength on each side.00:40
- 🐍The inland taipan is the most venomous snake, but snakes like saw-scaled vipers and Indian cobras cause more human fatalities due to their proximity to human populations.01:10
- ⚠️If you encounter a rattlesnake, remain calm and give it space; their rattle is a warning, not an invitation to attack.02:05
- 🥚Not all snakes lay eggs; some give birth to live young, and females can store sperm for years, leading to delayed fertilization.03:46
- 🛑The rhyme "red touches black, venom lack; red touches yellow, bite a fellow" is unreliable and can lead to dangerous misidentifications, especially in different geographical regions.05:40
- 🦴Snakes have complex skeletons with many vertebrae and kinetic skulls, allowing them to swallow large prey and replace fangs.06:09
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction to Snake Support
- 0:17Why do snakes flick their tongues?
- 0:54What's the most venomous snake?
- 2:32What to do if a rattlesnake is in front of you?
- 5:22How do snakes lay eggs?
- 8:35How accurate is the rhyme "red touches black, venom lack; red touches yellow, bite a fellow"?
- 9:58Do snakes have skeletons?
- 12:00What snake is referenced in the "Don't Tread on Me" refrain?
- 12:22How many species of snakes are there on Earth?
- 15:09Which movie actually got snakes right?
- 18:25Can snakes see farts?
- 20:20How do snakes move without legs or fins?
- 22:24What's the difference between 'poisonous' and 'venomous'?
- 25:03Can a snake bite your butt when you're on the toilet?
- 25:46What's your craziest, scariest snake story?
- 28:46Why do cobras have hoods?
- 30:26Why do snakes shed their skin?
- 31:55Mexican black kingsnake vs. California kingsnake?
- 33:36What's your dream snake?
- 34:11Snakes are deaf, right? So how does this work?
- 35:20What happens to the bones of animals that snakes eat?
- 36:48How does antivenom even work?
- 38:58Pythons are eating the Florida Everglades. Should we eat them instead?
The digest
Snakes, often misunderstood and feared, are fascinating creatures with unique adaptations. From their forked tongues to their complex reproductive strategies, these reptiles exhibit a diverse range of behaviors and biological features. Dispelling common myths and shedding light on their true nature can foster a greater appreciation for these vital members of our ecosystems.
The Forked Tongue: A Chemical Compass
One of the most recognizable snake behaviors is the constant flicking of their forked tongues. This isn't a sign of aggression, but rather a sophisticated method of sensing their environment. The bifurcated tongue allows snakes to collect chemical cues from the air and ground. Each fork of the tongue picks up different concentrations of these chemicals, which are then transferred to a specialized organ in the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson's organ. This organ processes the information, providing the snake with a comparative map of its surroundings. By comparing the strength of the chemical signals on each side of its tongue, a snake can determine the direction of potential prey, predators, or even mates. The more nervous or agitated a snake is, the more frequently it will flick its tongue, actively gathering more information about perceived threats or opportunities.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 3-minute article, 4 more sections, and every new episode from WIRED and the creators you follow.
- Venomous vs. Dangerous: The Inland Taipan and Beyond
- Rattlesnakes: A Warning, Not an Attack
- Snake Reproduction: Beyond Eggs
- Snakes Have Skeletons and Specialized Bones
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