Why do snakes stick out their tongues? [ 2006-06-30 10:13 ]
蛇吐信的样子着实很可怕。那一伸一缩的舌头好像随时都在准备攻击一样。要是有谁说蛇的舌头根本无害,估计没有人会相信。然而大自然总是那么爱捉弄人……
Snakes don't sting or use their forked tongues as weapons. The tongues are
perfectly harmless.
A snake sticks out its tongue to collect data for its
Jacobson's Organ, an organ strategically located in front of the roof of the
snake's mouth that functions as a chemical receptor. Each and every time the
snake flicks out its forked tongue, it snares chemical particles in the air, which latch onto, or
dissolve in, the moisture of the
snake's tongue. Once the snake reels in its tongue, it inserts the tips of the
forked tongue into the two awaiting openings of the Jacobson's organ where the
particles, especially those of animal body odors, are identified, analyzed, and
acted upon.
For the male snake, the tongue is both a sensory organ, and a
sensual organ. The tongue plays a vital role in snake courtship and
reproduction, as the male snake's jerking body motions and rapidly flicking tongue
either charms the female snake, or renders her unresponsive. In either instance,
by sticking out their tongues, snakes ensure the survival of their
species.
forked 叉子似的
particles 微粒
moisture
湿气
jerking摇晃
(英语点津Annabel编辑)
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