News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Rolling Snakes Keep Their Heads Steady

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

A Toho University team used videos to study rolling dwarf reedsnakes. Their peak rolling speed was roughly four times the peak measured during ordinary slithering.

Although much of the body rotated, the head stayed relatively stable and faced forward. The animals could also follow a narrow track.

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

Read and practise

1. What evidence did the team analyse?

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

2. What contrast did the recordings show?

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

Your turn

Explain what the comparison does and does not say about speed.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/dwarf-reedsnakes-rolling-head-control-october-2026/level-2/