Science and Nature

Deep Look

See the unseen at the very edge of our visible world. Get a new perspective on our place in the universe and meet extraordinary new friends. Explore big scientific mysteries by going incredibly small.

Why Do Snakes Have Forked Tongues?

4m 31s

To us, a snake's forked tongue evokes danger and deceit. But the tongue's two sensitive tips, called tines, actually help the snake smell in stereo. That's bad news if you're a mouse ...

Episodes

  • Why Do Snakes Have Forked Tongues?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why Do Snakes Have Forked Tongues?

    S10 E6 - 4m 31s

    To us, a snake's forked tongue evokes danger and deceit. But the tongue's two sensitive tips, called tines, actually help the snake smell in stereo. That's bad news if you're a mouse ...

  • This Mushroom Can Fly: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    This Mushroom Can Fly

    S10 E5 - 3m 22s

    Bird’s nest fungi look just like a tiny bird's nest. But those little eggs have no yolks. Each one is a spore sac waiting for a single raindrop to catapult it on a journey with a layover inside the bowels of an herbivore.

  • Toad Tongues Slay With Seriously Sticky Spit: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Toad Tongues Slay With Seriously Sticky Spit

    S10 E4 - 3m 36s

    How are frogs and toads so amazing at catching bugs? They smack ’em with a supersoft tongue covered in special spit, which flows into every nook and cranny of their target. Then, in less than a second, that spit transforms into a tacky glue, yanking the meal back into the toad’s maw.

  • How Does the Mussel Grow its Beard?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Does the Mussel Grow its Beard?

    S10 E3 - 4m

    Mussels create byssal threads, known as the mussel's "beard," to attach themselves to rocks and each other. They use their sensitive foot to mold the threads from scratch and apply a waterproof adhesive that makes superglue jealous.

  • Earthworm Love is Cuddly ... and Complicate: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Earthworm Love is Cuddly ... and Complicate

    S10 E2 - 4m 10s

    Earthworms know a thing or two about romance. They cozy up with a mate inside tubes of slime, then follow a series of intricate steps to make cocoons full of baby worms.

  • Earthworm Love is Cuddly...and Complicated: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Earthworm Love is Cuddly...and Complicated

    S10 E2 - 4m 10s

    Earthworms know a thing or two about romance. They cozy up with a mate inside tubes of slime, then follow a series of intricate steps to make cocoons full of baby worms.

  • How Hagfish Unleash a Torrent of Slime: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Hagfish Unleash a Torrent of Slime

    S10 E1 - 3m 52s

    What keeps the boneless, jawless hagfish thriving after more than 300 million years? SLIME. The goop it exudes – a mix of mucus and special protein cells – expands to 10,000 times its original volume in less than half a second, potentially clogging the gills of competitors.

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