Snakes with tentacles...

 Photo: Wikimedia Commons



A rare group of tentacled snakes was born were born Oct. 21 at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Everybody panic...

For the first time in more than a decade, a group of tentacled snakes was born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

 

The eight baby snakes, which sport little feelers on their noses, were born Oct. 21 after four years of unsuccessful breeding attempts, the zoo announced Thursday (Nov. 8).

 

The unusual aquatic species from Southeast Asia is not endangered, but researchers say it's poorly understood. The creatures, referred to as Erpeton tentaculatus in the scientific community, are relatively small, growing to about 20-35 inches (50-90 centimeters) in length, and they're the only snakes with two short tentacles on their snouts, which allow the reptiles to sense vibrations from fish that swim by.

 

Tentacled snakes spend their lives in water and use their tails to steady themselves as they wait to ambush their prey. Recent research has focused on how the snakes use their sharp hunting skills to scare fish right into their mouths... Keep on reading...