Dwarf Reed Snakes Cartwheel Away From Predators

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDwarf reed snakes escape predators by curling into a loop and cartwheeling away, and this desk considers that a serious development.

2. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorIt's a snake doing a cartwheel, Hank. The New York Times reports they trade slithering for rolling.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAn adult is under twelve inches long, according to Popular Science. So the threat is being outrun by something smaller than a sandwich.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorPopular Science also says the rolling reaches about one foot per second, about four times faster than slithering. That's a very efficient retreat.

5. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorResearchers first documented the motion in a study in two thousand twenty-three and could not explain how the snake did it. For years, nobody knew.

6. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorYears of unexplained cartwheels. In press terms, that's a long-running stealth programme with a very strong exit strategy.

7. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorYosuke Kojima of Toho University says, quote, rolling allows them to escape from danger very quickly. Which is the entire finding.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorMildly important, I'd say a six. Hank, more warmth next time.

9. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorUnderstood. Warmly, the snake keeps its head steady the whole way, which is more than this desk can say.