Scientists Look Inside the ‘Spider’ Growing on the Tip of a Rare Viper’s Tail
X-ray computed tomography scans found the tail’s spider-like lure is made of modified scales, not bone, underscoring limits of skeleton-only studies.
- On Thursday, researchers published findings in The Anatomical Record revealing that the spider-tailed horned viper's arachnid-like tail lure consists entirely of modified scales, not bone.
- Scientists originally collected the specimen in 1968 but dismissed the tail as a tumor; only after a second individual was identified in 2003 did researchers recognize the appendage as a distinct evolutionary trait.
- Field Museum researchers used X-ray computed tomography to scan the holotype, revealing normal vertebrae inside the tail and confirming the structure relies solely on keratin-based skin.
- Lead author Georgios Georgalis noted the findings demonstrate how skeletal remains alone fail to reveal an animal's full morphology, limiting paleontologists' ability to reconstruct extinct species from fossils.
- Museum collections remain vital for uncovering evolutionary secrets, according to senior author Sara Ruane, as these findings illustrate hidden diversity in snake evolution and unique survival adaptations.
17 Articles
17 Articles
This snake grows a fake spider on its tail to lure birds; scientists scanned the bizarre appendage and found surprisingly normal bones inside
Researchers utilized XCT scanning technology to investigate the unique tail of a viper. The imaging uncovered the presence of standard viper vertebrae within the tail's unusual form. This finding underscores the discrepancies that can exist between external appearance and internal skeletal makeup. Fossilized remains alone may not capture the true look of an organism, while museum specimens remain crucial for advancing our understanding through i…
The Tip of This Snake's Tail Looks Like a Spider. But Inside, Its Bones Are 'Bizarrely Normal'
High-tech scans reveal the first detailed look at the internal anatomy of the spider-tailed horned viper. The findings shed light on little-known snake vertebrae and highlight the difficulty of predicting what an animal looks like from its skeleton
A fake spider at the tip of this snake's tail helps it lure birds: Scientists get their first look inside it
Lots of animals use mimicry to survive. Some copy the appearance of threatening predators, and others have evolved to resemble plants or rocks so they can blend into the background and avoid being attacked. But a viper from Iran has found an even stranger strategy. The tip of this snake's tail looks like a spider, complete with a bulbous body and long dangling legs. And when a bird swoops in to try to eat this "spider," the snake springs into action and eats the bird.
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