11 votes

The Iranian spider-tailed viper preys on birds by luring them with a spider-shaped bulge on its tail

2 comments

  1. bkeeneme
    Link
    What I find most interesting is the snake mimicking a spider's movements- with its tail.

    What I find most interesting is the snake mimicking a spider's movements- with its tail.

    The viper was transported to a cage in a lab that resembled the semi-arid land of scrub and forest the snakes normally inhabit. A few birds were released in the enclosure, and a video camera set up. The researchers watched as the snake gently swooshed its tail along the ground, the swollen bulb and frilly scales perfectly recreating the skittering motions of a tasty spider. The illusion is eerily accurate; several birds became instant meals after trying to attack what appeared to be a meal for them. Anderson and his team were right.

    5 votes
  2. Autoxidation
    Link
    This is seriously cool. I know Copperheads do this to some extent and are native to the southern and eastern US, but to see such complexity and specialization in it like this is really something.

    This is seriously cool. I know Copperheads do this to some extent and are native to the southern and eastern US, but to see such complexity and specialization in it like this is really something.

    3 votes