Q 01/05

Snakes are found on every continent except which one?

A) Antarctica

B) South America

C) Africa

D) Australia

Answer · why

A) Antarctica

They also range as far north as the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia, and a few species live in the sea.

Q 02/05

What does a snake do with its forked tongue?

A) Sting its prey

B) Collect scent particles

C) Cool its body

D) Make hissing sounds

Answer · why

B) Collect scent particles

The two tips give directional information about a smell, and even the anaconda's tongue works efficiently underwater.

Q 03/05

The vomeronasal organ in the roof of a snake's mouth is commonly known by which anatomist's name?

A) Corti's

B) Bowman's

C) Jacobson's

D) Lorenzini's

Answer · why

C) Jacobson's

The organ was actually described by Frederik Ruysch before 1732; the Danish anatomist it is named after only came along in 1813.

Q 04/05

Instead of movable eyelids, what covers a snake's eyes?

A) Nothing at all

B) A nictitating membrane

C) Thick oily tears

D) A transparent scale

Answer · why

D) A transparent scale

The scale is called a brille or spectacle, and it is shed along with the rest of the skin, which is why a snake's eyes turn cloudy before a molt.

Q 05/05

How does a snake shed its skin?

A) In one complete piece

B) Only from the belly

C) It never sheds

D) In flakes over several weeks

Answer · why

A) In one complete piece

The old layer comes off like a sock turned inside out, and a snake may do it four or five times a year.