Short Wave Why Do Flying Snakes Wiggle In The Air?
Jul 14, 2020
Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR science correspondent, dives into the fascinating world of flying snakes that glide through the air in South and Southeast Asia. She discusses groundbreaking research on their unique undulating movements that allow them to soar from tree to tree. Explore how advanced motion capture technology is revealing their flight mechanics. Greenfieldboyce also highlights the implications of these findings for robotics, showcasing how understanding snake gliding could inspire innovative designs in technology.
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Flying Snakes
- Some snakes in South and Southeast Asia can glide between trees.
- They undulate their bodies even while airborne, similar to how they move on land.
Soha's Research
- Jake Soha, a researcher at Virginia Tech, has studied these snakes for 25 years.
- He questioned whether the snakes' aerial undulation is habitual or serves a purpose.
The Cube Experiment
- Soha used Virginia Tech's "cube," a motion-capture theater, to study the snakes' glides.
- They attached reflective tape to snakes and filmed their movements with high-speed cameras.