Snake : Science World Report

Nov 27, 2015 03:55 PM EST

New Fossil May Help Solve How Snakes Lost Their Legs

How did snakes lose their legs? A new fossil may be helping researchers solve the evolutionary puzzle of how snakes lost their limbs.

Nov 10, 2015 08:26 AM EST

Evolution: The Arms Race Among Venomous Animals is Two-Fold

There may be an arms race occurring among venomous animals. Scientists have made new discoveries about how animal venom evolves, and have found that there's a "two-speed" evolution of animal venom.

Oct 02, 2015 07:49 AM EDT

Evolution: Snakes Have the Blueprints for Arms and Legs Still Encoded in Their Genome

Snakes may not have arms or legs, but they do have the blueprints for them in their genome.

Jul 24, 2015 09:00 AM EDT

Snake Ancestors Had Four Legs: Ancient Fossil Reveals Evolution of Snakes

Scientists have made an unusual discovery. They've uncovered a snake fossil that had four legs, which may tell them a bit more about how snakes made the transition from lizards to serpents.

Jul 23, 2015 09:37 AM EDT

Boa Contrictors Kill Their Prey by Stopping Their Blood, Not by Suffocation

It turns out that boa constrictors don't kill their prey by suffocation. Scientists have found that, in fact, these snakes kill their prey through another method: cardiac arrest.

Jun 22, 2015 09:18 AM EDT

White-Nose Syndrome in Bats Parallels New Deadly Fungal Disease in Snakes

Scientists may have found a link between two deadly fungal infections. Researchers have taken a closer look at snake fungal disease and have found that it's eerily similar to the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats.

May 20, 2015 06:50 AM EDT

Ancient Snake's Ancestors were Ambush, Nocturnal Predators with Tiny Hind Limbs

Snakes are known for their long, lean bodies and lack of limbs. Now, though, scientists have discovered that the very first snakes were nocturnal, stealth-hunting predators with tiny hind limbs that had ankles and toes.

May 19, 2015 09:57 AM EDT

How the Burmese Python's Extreme Body Changes Occur After It Eats

The Burmese python has the amazing ability to eat massive meals, allowing its body to grow to massive proportions before shrinking as it digests. Now, scientists have discovered how this extreme body transformation takes place in these snakes.

Mar 24, 2015 07:45 AM EDT

Scientists Examine Real Rattlesnakes to Create Snake Robots

Scientists may have picked up a few tips and tricks from the rattlesnake as they designed their undulating snake-like robots. They've looked at the real thing in order to create a robot capable of taking rapid and even sharp turns.

Jan 28, 2015 07:14 AM EST

World's Oldest Snake Fossils Uncover Evolutionary History of These Reptiles

Scientists have discovered the fossilized remains of four ancient snakes that lived between 140 and 167 million years ago that may just change the way we think about the origins of these reptiles.

Jan 14, 2015 12:07 PM EST

Desert Snake Outmaneuvers Lizard When Swimming Through Sand

When it comes to "swimming" through sand, snakes may come out on top. Scientists have examined snakes and lizards and have found that when it comes to tackling desert sand, snakes are better adapted.

Jan 08, 2015 12:10 PM EST

Deadly Coral Snake Venom Variety Has Unexpected Evolutionary Pattern

Snake venom comes in all varieties, as different as the snakes that use it. Now, scientists have taken a closer look at these differences and have discovered an unexpected evolutionary pattern among venomous snakes.