Dwarf reed snakes defy physics by cartwheeling at four times their slithering speed
A new study in Current Biology reveals that dwarf reed snakes in Southeast Asia escape predators by rolling like wheels rather than slithering. Researchers from Toho University used high-speed cameras to analyze the movement, finding the snakes achieve speeds up to four times faster than normal slithering. The technique involves a complex 'stroke' where the snake alternates sides to maintain momentum while keeping its head stable and facing forward, a feat that surprised even experienced herpetologists.