Snakes

why do snakes have forked tongues


Why do Snakes have Forked Tongues?

As humans, we use our tongues for many different purposes. We talk, we taste food and we swallow. Snakes also use their tongues for many different things, however, their tongues are a bit different in nature. Most snakes have tongues that are forked at the end with two separate tips. But why is this? Let’s explore.

A Way to Capture the Scent

Snakes don’t have a keen sense of smell like some other animals do. Instead, they use their senses to detect the presence of other nearby creatures, their predators and their prey.

The forked tongue of a snake is made up of two small appendages with very sensitive tips that can pick up odors in the air, like a chemical sensor. Every time a snake flicks its tongue, it is sending chemicals into the air that when combined provide all the information the snake needs to gain a better understanding of its environment.

A Tool for Navigation

In addition to using their forked tongues to detect smells, snakes use them as an invaluable navigation tool. They can spin the two tips into a ‘V’ shape and use this shape to determine which direction an odor is coming from.

When the tips of the forked tongue are facing in the same direction, the snake can tell if the chemical it is trying to locate is ahead or behind it. When each tip is pointing in different directions, they tell the snake the chemical is either to the left or right.

Conclusion

Ultimately, snakes use their forked tongues to do several important tasks. They help them find food and predators, identify potential mates, and even find their way home. Without these tongues, snakes would be much less equipped to survive and survive in the wild.

So the next time you come across a snake, remember why it has that forked tongue sticking out – it’s not a mean look, it’s a vital tool.

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