The Herp Index: Unveiling the Secrets of Reptile Behavior
Reptiles are often misunderstood. Cold-blooded, slow-moving, and mysterious, they don’t wear their emotions on their sleeves (or scales) like mammals do. But make no mistake—these creatures have a rich behavioural repertoire. If you’ve ever watched a bearded dragon bob its head, a snake flick its tongue, or a turtle bask under a lamp, you’ve witnessed a complex language of instinct and adaptation. In this edition of The Herp Index , we dive into the fascinating world of reptile behaviour—decoding the why behind the wiggle, the stillness, and the sideways glances of our scaly friends. 1. Tongue Flicking: The Snake's Super Sensor If you've ever held a snake, you’ve likely seen it flick its tongue rapidly in and out. This isn’t a sign of aggression—quite the opposite. Snakes use their tongues to “taste” chemical particles in the air and transfer them to Jacobson's organ (or vomeronasal organ) in the roof of the mouth. Why it matters: Frequent tongue flicking me...