nature animals · Ages 6-8

Why Does a Snake Flick Its Tongue at the Air?

A snake collects scent particles with its tongue and reads them with a special organ to track food, mates, and danger.

The whole story

1. At sunrise, Suri slid through the meadow grass, hungry for breakfast. Her forked tongue flicked at the cool air.

2. Tiny bits of scent clung to each tongue tip. Suri drew her tongue back into her mouth, where a special organ helped her read the message.

3. The message pointed toward a patch of clover. But last night's rain had washed the scent trail into puddles, and Suri paused beside a muddy stone.

4. Suri held one tongue tip toward the left and one toward the right. The stronger scent came from the tall grass.

5. There was a mouse scent under a flat board, but a sharp fox scent was nearby. Suri tucked herself beneath a fern and waited.

6. When the fox scent faded, Suri followed a fresh scent to a damp log. A plump earthworm rested in the soft soil, just right for breakfast.

7. Suri's tongue had done more than taste. A snake collects scent particles with its tongue and reads them with a special organ to track food, mates, and danger.

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