Did you know that the forked tongues in snakes and some lizards are for smelling rather than tasting? When these animals flick their tongues, they are collecting microscopic particles from the air. When the tongue is retracted, it transfers those particles to a vomeronasal organ, known as Jacobson’s organ, which then transmits information about any scents collected to the brain for further interpretation. The forked tongue in these reptiles not only senses what particles are in the air but also which direction those scents came from. When you hear a noise, your brain automatically interprets which direction the sound is coming from. It can do this because either ear is sampling the vibrations independently.
This lesson is part of Certified Herpetological Guide. Enrollment is self-paced, with no deadline to finish (about 50 hours).
