Some anacondas can perform a strange S-shaped leap and now we know why

1 year ago 85

Life

A mathematical model based on observing yellow anacondas in the lab shows that if they are light and muscular enough, they can jump away from danger in an S-shape motion similar to sidewinding of much smaller snakes that live in the sand

By Karmela Padavic-Callaghan

Some yellow anacondas can leap in an S-shape

Yellow anacondas are able to leap into an unusual S-shape to escape danger. However, only those that are light and muscular enough can actually do it.

Many snakes that live in sandy environments can move sideways or sidewind, rippling their bodies while also partially lifting off the ground. Anacondas, which typically live near rivers and in marshes, aren’t normally considered to be in this group and have only been captured on film doing something like sidewinding once, in 2014.

Nicholas Charles …

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