Cartwheeling serpent are the field of study of a newfangled theme that explores if this feverish movement may actually be a Department of Defense mechanism to guard off predator . The gymnastic reptilian in doubt is the dwarf reed snake , Pseudorabdion longiceps , that ’s been observe going empennage - over - tongue to cartwheel away by repeatedly plunge its coil body into the air .
Snakes are known to get creative when it comes to defending themselves , having been observed change colouring , produce olfaction , feigning death , and try out to make themselves look bragging . Now , it seems they may also be catch creative with the way in which they take flight potential piranha , as the disorderly coiling of the dwarf beating-reed instrument snakes has extend scientist to conclude that the strange cartwheeling acts like a defense chemical mechanism .
“ The cartwheels performed by these serpent are very frantic , ” explained like writer Evan Seng Huat Quah , PhD , of the Universiti Malaysia Sabah , to IFLScience . “ As these are little snakes that are about 15 centimetre [ 6 column inch ] in length , they calculate like a coiled piece of telegram or India rubber dance orchestra roll across the ground . The speed , as well as the delirious motion , is one of the grounds , we think this behaviour is used to disorient predator . ”
Understandably, the snakes can’t cartwheel for very long so it’s only used in extreme situations. Image credit: E Quah et al, 2023 Biotropica
It ’s a unique approaching to snake movement , but one that Quah believes could be found in other snake .
“ We consider that there are other reptilian specie that may employ the same defense chemical mechanism , ” he explained . “ Cartwheeling may be more widespread than currently known in Snake , especially reed snakes of the family Calamariinae . There are annecdoctal reports of other mintage do this behavior include another member of the same genus , Pseudorabdion albonuchalis . ”
Most mass would probably consort that take in a snake coming cartwheeling toward you would be enough to make you twist and take to the woods ( before stop to ponder , can you cartwheel without branch ? ) . So , it may be an effective denial chemical mechanism , but one that is understandably only used in dire circumstances owing to the fact it must be entirely exhausting .
“ This doings is surprising as it is not a typical form of movement that we associate with snakes that are rectilinear , lateral wave , sidewinding , and concertina movement , ” continued Quah . “ Cartwheeling is also probably very metabolically taxing for the snake as they can not substantiate this behaviour repeatedly or over prospicient distance . It is a defense mechanics employ only under uttermost duress . ”
The research squad hopes next to research how far-flung cartwheeling is among snakes , include following up on a tip that a few mintage within the same Calamariinae family have been observe loop in a similarly frenetic fashion . Quah also hopes to team up up with biomechanics investigator to well see the kinetics behind cartwheel Snake , something we doubt anyone had on their 2023 bingo card .
The Natural story Field Note is published inBiotropica .
