News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

These Small Snakes Can Roll

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Small dwarf reedsnakes can roll to escape danger. Researchers filmed them from several directions. Rolling was about four times faster than their usual side-to-side movement in the tests.

The snakes kept their heads facing forward while the back of the body turned. This was controlled movement, not simply falling over.

Source: ScienceDaily / Toho University, 2026-10-24. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261023023718.htm

Read and practise

1. How did the researchers study the movement?

   1. Only pictures of motionless snakes
   2. Videos from different directions
   3. Only measurements of old snake skins

2. What happened to the snakes’ heads?

   1. They rotated as much as the back of the body
   2. They always faced away from the direction of travel
   3. They stayed facing forward as the body turned

Your turn

Describe what moved and what stayed steady.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/dwarf-reedsnakes-rolling-head-control-october-2026/level-1/