Snake Olympics: Trials Judge Australian Snakes’ Defense Responses

The Olympic Games are not just for humans anymore. Researchers in Australia put two species of venomous snakes through a competition that included sprint trials in a racetrack and wrapping around, thrashing, tongue flicking, and biting when held—and then scored the snakes’ responses. The results? If you were to come across one of these snakes in the wild, you might prefer it to be the small-eyed snake—it is more likely to flee than fight.

Continue reading »