Southeast Asia’s Tentacled Snake (Erpeton tentaculatum), which is camouflaged to resemble a root, is much coveted by advanced reptile keepers.  It is unique among the world's 4,145 snake species in possessing a pair of scaled tentacles on the head. The function of these odd appendages has puzzled herpetologists for more than a century.

Zoologist at the Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, after studying these appendages, have discovered that that they are sensitive to water movement, and thereby assist in locating fish, which comprise most of this species' diet.  This must prove quite useful in the murky, heavily vegetated waters that the Tentacled Snake calls home.

Other proposed uses of the tentacles – camouflage and prey or mate attraction – remain to be investigated.

Tentacled Snakes have a unique hunting strategy.  Holding their upper bodies in the shape of a “J”, the snakes seem to strike in a backward direction, and not directly at the fish.

Earlier studies at Vanderbilt University showed that these unique snakes actually “feint” in order to startle their prey, and then strike at the spot where the fish will be a fraction of a second after it attempts to escape!

Photo: Smithsonian Zoo