Story perspectives

Dwarf Reed Snakes Roll 3.69 m/s to Evade Predators

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 6:12 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Japanese researchers in Malaysia recorded dwarf reed snakes rolling away at high speed to escape danger.
The snakes reached peak rolling speeds of 12.1 ft/s (3.69 m/s), about four times faster than slithering.
While rolling, the snakes kept their heads relatively fixed and often elevated.
They rolled straight on an 8-inch (20 cm) wide racetrack.
Authors suggest rolling may confuse predators and create a patchy scent trail, deterring king cobras.

1 of 1

Story summary

Japanese researchers in Malaysia recorded dwarf reed snakes rolling away at high speed to escape danger.
The snakes reached peak rolling speeds of 12.1 ft/s (3.69 m/s), about four times faster than slithering.
While rolling, the snakes kept their heads relatively fixed and often elevated.
They rolled straight on an 8-inch (20 cm) wide racetrack.
Authors suggest rolling may confuse predators and create a patchy scent trail, deterring king cobras.