BISMARK TRIBUNE (N Dakota) 28 March 05 Researchers prove cobra can burrow
Minot (N.D.): Researchers here say they have proved that shield-nosed cobras can tunnel in sand.
Snake experts previously believed the venomous snake couldn't burrow because of its body type, said Alexandra Deufel, an assistant biology professor at Minot State University.
Deufel said scientists have speculated that the shield-nosed cobra, which lives underground in its native Africa, might burrow, but there was no evidence of it.
Most snakes that live underground find natural crevices or burrows created by other animals, she said.
Her snake of study, named "Spike," doesn't have a reinforced head like other species of snakes and other legless animals that burrow in the dirt. The shield-nosed cobra is small with large eyes and a nose that is only loosely connected to the rest of its head.
"When you look at the anatomy of this, it doesn't look like it would be able to burrow," Deufel said.
Deufel and undergraduate student Shawn Bruce put Spike in an aquarium filled with a few inches of moist sand and aimed a video camera on him to see what he would do.
Deufel said it was thrilling when they saw Spike burrowing to the bottom.
To begin burrowing, Spike arches his neck, lays his shield flat on the sand and moves his head from side to side.
"It's like a shovel, really," Deufel said.
Further research revealed that the shield-nosed cobra burrows using modified muscles that snakes use to swallow their prey and to control the movement of their wiggly noses, she said.
"That's never been seen in any snake," Deufel said. "It's a totally new anatomy."
Deufel presented the results of her research to the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in January.
http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2005/03/28/news/state/sta03.txt
MINOT DAILY NEWS (North Dakota) 27 March 05 Biology professor, student prove cobra can burrow
Minot, N.D. (AP) : Researchers here say they have proved that shield-nosed cobras can tunnel in sand.
Snake experts previously believed the venomous snake couldn't burrow because of its body type, said Alexandra Deufel, an assistant biology professor at Minot State University.
Deufel said scientists have speculated that the shield-nosed cobra, which lives underground in its native Africa, might burrow, but there was no evidence of it.
Most snakes that live underground find natural crevices or burrows created by other animals, she said.
Her snake of study, named "Spike," doesn't have a reinforced head like other species of snakes and other legless animals that burrow in the dirt. The shield-nosed cobra is small with large eyes and a nose that is only loosely connected to the rest of its head.
"When you look at the anatomy of this, it doesn't look like it would be able to burrow," Deufel said.
Deufel and undergraduate student Shawn Bruce put Spike in an aquarium filled with a few inches of moist sand and aimed a video camera on him to see what he would do.
Deufel said it was thrilling when they saw Spike burrowing to the bottom.
"It actually burrows, Deufel said. "It goes down."
To begin burrowing, Spike arches his neck, lays his shield flat on the sand and moves his head from side to side.
"It's like a shovel, really," Deufel said.
Further research revealed that the shield-nosed cobra burrows using modified muscles that snakes use to swallow their prey and to control the movement of their wiggly noses, she said.
“That's never been seen in any snake,” said Deufel. "It's a totally new anatomy."
Deufel presented the results of her research to the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology in January.
Deufel said she and Bruce will continue to study Spike.
http://www.in-forum.com/ap/index.cfm?page=view&id=D893INQG1
