Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Snake Regeneration 
Name: Elizabeth C.
Status: educator
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: Thursday, June 06, 2002
Question:
Can snakes regrow tails if they are cut in half?

Replies:
No

J. Elliott

Elizabeth,

Snakes are generally unable to regenerate the tail end of their vetebrae. They are too specialized like most mammals to regrow tails. However, there are some legless lizards that can; these lizzards would appear to be snakes to the casual observer, but they are not. You may wish to look up legless lizzards for more details.

Steve Sample

Click here to return to the Zoology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory