If snakes are deaf how come they can move to music?

India
July 23, 2009 12:15pm CST
Snakes are neither blind nor deaf.However, lacking an external ear and eardrum, they cannot receive sounds through the air. Snakes hear by letting sounds travel along their jawbones to the inner ear.
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3 responses
@sunny68 (1327)
• India
23 Jul 09
snakes tongue is extremely sensitive to vibrations (and music creates vibrations) they move to the source of vibration this is why snake charmers keep moving their flute changing the direction of source of music. the snake moves accordingly which appears to the onlookers that the snake is moving to the music.
@sunny68 (1327)
• India
23 Jul 09
P.S. if the same music is played behind the snake, it will not respond
• India
23 Jul 09
All snakes are deaf to air born sounds but they do pick up vibrations in their jawbones and on their scent molecules on their tongue. These molecules are connected to the Jacobson's Organ. Have a nice time!
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
23 Jul 09
I used to raise snakes actually. I had quite the collection at one point. Snakes do not move to music. When you see a "snake charmer" awith a snake swaying back and forth, they are actualy swaying and following the movement of the person, rather than the music. They could care less what music is playing and they have no interest in the music, let alone any desire to sway to it. They do feel vibrations, in fact, it helps them hunt and to avoid preditors. but as far as music goes, to them, it is just another source of vibration that either indicates food or danger.