Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,193,646 members, 7,951,698 topics. Date: Tuesday, 17 September 2024 at 09:18 PM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Education / 7 Weird Facts About Snakes (1220 Views)
Weird Facts Around The World / Some Weird Facts You Probably Don't Know 2 (photos) / Some Weird Facts You Probably Don't Know (photos) (2) (3) (4)
7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:28pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
7 WEIRD FACTS ABOUT SNAKES Snakes are among the most feared animals. These reptiles can be as small as the four inch long Barbados threadsnake or as large as the 40-foot long anaconda. With over 3,000 species globally, snakes are found in almost every biome. These legless, scaly vertebrates can slither, swim, and even fly. Did you know that some snakes have more than one head or that some female snakes can reproduce without males? Discover some unusual facts about snakes that may surprise you. 1. TWO-HEADED SNAKES Did you know that snakes can have two heads? This instance is rare and two- headed snakes don't survive long in the wild. Each head has its own brain and each brain can control the shared body. As a result, these animals have unusual movements as both heads try to control the body and go in their own direction. One snake head will sometimes attack the other as they fight over food. Two-headed snakes result from the incomplete splitting of a snake embryo. A complete split would have resulted in twin snakes, but the process stops before completion. While these snakes don't fair well in the wild, some have lived for years in captivity. According to National Geographic, a two-headed corn snake named Thelma and Louise lived for several years at the San Diego Zoo and produced 15 normal offspring. Continue Reading Below 2. FLYING SNAKES Did you know that some snakes fly? Well, more like glide. After studying five species of snake from Southeast and South Asia, scientists have determined just how these reptiles accomplish this feat. Video cameras were used to record the animals in flight and create 3-D reconstructions of the snakes' body positions. The studies showed that the snakes can travel up to 24 meters from a branch at the top of a 15-meter-tall tower with constant velocity and without simply dropping to the ground. From the reconstructions of the snakes in flight, it was determined that the snakes never reach what is known as an equilibrium gliding state. This is a state in which the forces created by their body movements exactly counteract the forces pulling down on the snakes. According to Virginia Tech researcher Jake Socha, "The snake is pushed upward -- even though it is moving downward -- because the upward component of the aerodynamic force is greater than the snake's weight." This effect however is temporary, ending with the snake landing on another object, such as branch, or on the ground. 1 Like
|
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by swiz123(m): 1:30pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
Attach pictures to it and see lala do his magic |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:34pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
Source: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. "Snake venom studies yield insights for development of therapies for heart disease and cancer. https://www.thoughtco.com/weird-facts-about-snakes-373879 |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:34pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
3. SNAKE STEALS VENOM FROM TOXIC TOADS
A species of non-poisonous Asian snake,
Rhabdophis tigrinus, becomes poisonous
due to its diet. What do these snakes eat
that allow them to become poisonous?
They eat certain species of toxic toads. The
snakes store the toxins obtained from the
toads in glands in their neck. When facing
danger, these snakes release the toxins
from their neck glands. This type of defense
mechanism is seen in animals lower on the
food chain, including insects and frogs, but
rarely in snakes. Pregnant Rhabdophis
tigrinus can even pass the toxins on to their
young. The toxins protects the young
snakes from predators and lasts until the
snakes are able to hunt on their own.
4.BOA CONSTRICTOR REPRODUCES WITHOUT
SEX
Some boa constrictors don't need males to
reproduce. Parthenogenesis has been
observed in these large reptiles.
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual
reproduction that involves the development
of an egg into an individual without
fertilization. The female boa constrictor
studied by North Carolina State University
researchers has had offspring through
both asexual and sexual reproduction. The
baby boas that were produced asexually
however, are all female and bear the same
color mutation as their mom. Their sex
chromosome make up is also different from
the sexually produced snakes. The asexually
produced baby boas have
(WW) chromosomes, while the sexually
produced snakes have either (ZZ)
chromosomes and are male or (ZW)
chromosomes and are female.
Scientists don't believe that this type of rare
birth is due to changes in the environment.
According to researcher Dr. Warren Booth,
"Reproducing both ways could be an
evolutionary 'get-out-of-jail-free card' for
snakes. If suitable males are absent, why
waste those expensive eggs when you have
the potential to put out some half-clones of
yourself? Then, when a suitable mate is
available, revert back to sexual
reproduction." The female boa that
produced her young asexually did so in
spite of the fact that there were plenty of
male suitors available. |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:36pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
4. BOA CONSTRICTOR REPRODUCES WITHOUT SEX Some boa constrictors don't need males to reproduce. Parthenogenesis has been observed in these large reptiles. Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction that involves the development of an egg into an individual without fertilization. The female boa constrictor studied by North Carolina State University researchers has had offspring through both asexual and sexual reproduction. The baby boas that were produced asexually however, are all female and bear the same color mutation as their mom. Their sex chromosome make up is also different from the sexually produced snakes. The asexually produced baby boas have (WW) chromosomes, while the sexually produced snakes have either (ZZ) chromosomes and are male or (ZW) chromosomes and are female. Scientists don't believe that this type of rare birth is due to changes in the environment. According to researcher Dr. Warren Booth, "Reproducing both ways could be an evolutionary 'get-out-of-jail-free card' for snakes. If suitable males are absent, why waste those expensive eggs when you have the potential to put out some half-clones of yourself? Then, when a suitable mate is available, revert back to sexual reproduction." The female boa that produced her young asexually did so in spite of the fact that there were plenty of male suitors available. |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:41pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
5. DINOSAUR-EATING SNAKE
Researchers from the Geological Survey of
India have discovered fossil evidence that
suggests that some snakes ate baby
dinosaurs. The primitive snake known as
Sanajeh indicus was about 11.5 feet long.
Its fossilized skeletal remains were found
inside the nest of a titanosaur. The snake
was coiled around a crushed egg and near
the remains of a titanosaur hatchling.
Titanosaurs were plant-eating sauropods
with long necks that grew to an enormous
size very quickly.
The researchers believe that these dinosaur
hatchlings were easy prey for Sanajeh
indicus. Due to the shape of its jaw, this
snake was unable to consume titanosaur
eggs. It waited until the hatchlings emerged
from their eggs before it devoured them.
Although originally discovered in 1987, it
wasn't until years later that the fossilized
nest was recognized to include the remains
of the snake. Paleontologist Jeff Wilson
states, "Burial (of the nest) was rapid and
deep, probably a pulse of slushy sand and
mud released during a storm caught them
in the act." The discovery of the fossilized
nest gives us a glimpse of a moment in time
during the Cretaceous period. |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:41pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
5. DINOSAUR-EATING SNAKE
Researchers from the Geological Survey of
India have discovered fossil evidence that
suggests that some snakes ate baby
dinosaurs. The primitive snake known as
Sanajeh indicus was about 11.5 feet long.
Its fossilized skeletal remains were found
inside the nest of a titanosaur. The snake
was coiled around a crushed egg and near
the remains of a titanosaur hatchling.
Titanosaurs were plant-eating sauropods
with long necks that grew to an enormous
size very quickly.
The researchers believe that these dinosaur
hatchlings were easy prey for Sanajeh
indicus. Due to the shape of its jaw, this
snake was unable to consume titanosaur
eggs. It waited until the hatchlings emerged
from their eggs before it devoured them.
Although originally discovered in 1987, it
wasn't until years later that the fossilized
nest was recognized to include the remains
of the snake. Paleontologist Jeff Wilson
states, "Burial (of the nest) was rapid and
deep, probably a pulse of slushy sand and
mud released during a storm caught them
in the act." The discovery of the fossilized
nest gives us a glimpse of a moment in time
during the Cretaceous period. |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:43pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
6. SNAKE VENOM MAY HELP PREVENT STROKE
Researchers are studying snake venom
properties in the hopes of developing
future treatments for stroke, heart disease
and even cancer. Snake venom contains
toxins that target a specific receptor
protein on blood platelets. The toxins can
either prevent blood from clotting or cause
clots to develop. Researchers believe that
irregular blood clot formation and the
spread of cancer can be prevented by
inhibiting a specific platelet protein.
Blood clotting occurs naturally in order to
stop the bleeding when blood vessels
become damaged. Improper platelet
clotting however, can lead to heart attack
and stroke. Researchers have identified a
specific platelet protein, CLEC-2, that is not
only needed for clot formation but also for
the development for lymphatic vessels.
Lymphatic vessels help to prevent swelling
in tissues. They also contain a molecule,
podoplanin, that binds to the CLEC-2
receptor protein on platelets similarly to the
way snake venom does. Podoplanin
promotes blood clot formation and is also
secreted by cancer cells as a defense
against immune cells. Interactions between
CLEC-2 and podoplanin is thought to
promote cancer growth and metastasis.
Understanding how toxins in snake venom
interact with blood may help to develop
new therapies for those with irregular
blood clot formation and cancer. |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 1:46pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
7. SPITTING COBRAS EXHIBIT DEADLY ACCURACY Researchers have discovered why spitting cobras are so accurate at spraying venom into the eyes of potential adversaries. The cobras first track the movements of their attacker, then aim their venom at a predicted location where the attacker's eyes will be in the future. The ability to spray venom is a defense mechanism employed by some cobras to debilitate an attacker. Spitting cobras can spray their blinding venom as far as six feet. According to researchers, cobras spray their venom in complex patterns in order to maximize the chances of hitting their target. Using high-speed photography and electromyography (EMG), researchers were able to see muscle movements in the cobra's head and neck. These contractions cause the cobra's head to swing back and forth rapidly producing the complex spraying patterns. Cobras are deadly accurate, hitting their target nearly 100 percent of the time within 2 feet. |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Nobody: 2:14pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
Where can I get a tamed snake......
Cobra in particular |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by Kilanee: 2:19pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
Pato23:even Google can't answer this ur question |
Re: 7 Weird Facts About Snakes by shirgles(m): 2:23pm On Aug 30, 2017 |
Snake |
(1) (Reply)
How To Upgrade Your ND And HND Certificate To BSC / Protest Ongoing In University Of Nigeria, Nsukka. / 3 JAMB Cheats That Will Probably Be Canceled In 2020
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 36 |