https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-tip-of-this-snakes-tail-looks-like-a-spider-but-inside-its-bones-are-bizarrely-normal-180989478/
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“The Tip of This Snake's Tail Looks Like a Spider.”
““I couldn’t have been happier to finally do something with this snake,” Ruane says to Smithsonian , as the species had captivated her since her days as a doctoral student.”
“In the few viper species with their spinal columns mapped out, the work has typically been limited to a few bones.”
“Well-known for their venom , vipers are among the world’s most iconic snakes, but scientists have not deeply examined their vertebral anatomy.”
“But Inside, Its Bones Are ‘Bizarrely Normal’ High-tech scans reveal the first detailed look at the internal anatomy of the spider-tailed horned viper.”
“He wanted to know: Did the extreme structure outside the tail show up in the vertebrae?”
“Its tail offered an especially interesting opportunity to study a snake’s skeleton more closely.”
“So, Georgalis says the new study offers a step forward for understanding some of these specimens.”
“In 2023, Georgalis approached Ruane with the idea of collaborating to study this species using the museum’s original specimen.”
“He expects the research will trigger other studies that map the vertebrae of vipers using 3D imaging.”
“Sara Ruane et al.”
“The normal-looking bones beneath the decoy spider would give no hint to the structure’s presence—or the fascinating hunting technique it enables.”
“But Inside, Its Bones Are 'Bizarrely Normal' Skip to main content Search Shop Newsletters Renew Give a Gift Subscribe Membership i Subscribe Give a Gift Renew Sections Smart News History Science Innovation Arts & Culture Travel At the Smithsonian More from Smithsonian magazine Newsletters Photo Contest Podcast Videos Our Partners Smithsonian Store Smithsonian Journeys Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.”
““The appendage at the end of its tail is so outrageous,” study co-author Sara Ruane , associate curator of herpetology at the Field Museum, says in the statement.”
“The function of some of these structures, which may be unique to certain species, he adds, “deserves much greater attention.” Endemic to Iran, the spider-tailed horned viper is “one of the most fascinating viper species in the world,” Georgalis says.”
““It represents a perfect ‘tool’ for successfully luring birds.” But by looking at the viper’s skeleton alone, you would have no idea that it uses such a standout hunting strategy.”
“Snakes with tail rattles , made with hollow keratin segments, use them to ward off predators—and some scientists have suggested this behavior might have evolved from caudal luring.”
“Despite the strange external appearance of the tail, the animal’s underlying bones, Georgalis and others reveal in a new study, are “bizarrely normal,” per a statement from the Field Museum.”