A newly identified snake has learned to outsmart predators with a fake head on its tail

A visit to the thick woods in the rainy southern parts of China has made it possible for scientists to come across an amazing discovery. The snake discovered in the wet leaves in the Guangxi region has a defence mechanism that is not typical of any reptile, as it utilises mimicry.If a predator approaches, it doesn't attempt to escape the threat. Instead, it relies on an amazing optical illusion using its tail to show its own face, while obscuring the most vulnerable part of its body away from danger.The art of the tail twistPredators in the wild rely on targeting the head for defence, since the head is often dangerous, particularly in snakes. The newly discovered Calamaria incredibilis, or the amazing Reed Snake, turns this logic into an advantage by using head-tail mimicry, confusing adversaries with a tail that resembles its face.At just under 9 inches in length, this slim non-venomous snake reacts to danger by curving its body to a neat figure-eight form close to the ground. Then, it raises its small, long, blunt tail into the air.Since the tail is strong and is patterned in a way that it appears like its real face, any animal or bird that tries to strike at the snake will hit at the wrong spot. As the prey can take an ounce of tail tissue, the actual head is protected in the centre of the coil. This gives the snake the perfect chance to escape into deep, dark soil. Hidden secrets in the mudThe detailed description of this intriguing animal, led and supervised by an expert in herpetology, Shuo Qi from Sun Yat-sen University, together with researchers from around the world and scientists, was published in Zoosystematics and Evolution. The researchers selected to go with a Latin name which translates to "unbelievable," capturing their sincere delight when they looked at the unique nature of the animal and its defence behaviour.It was a straightforward task, mostly because of where it is and the way it appears. It is part of a larger collection of hidden Asian burrowers, also known as reed snakes. There are around 70 species of the genus, living peaceful, nightly lives tunnelling through damp soil and decaying logs, in pursuit of earthworms and insects.This amazing reptile appears to be a normal one and is covered with smooth brown scales and some faint stripes extending along its back. It's a member of a family of almost identical cousins that taxonomists identify as the Calamaria Pavimentata complex.The real uniqueness of this particular species comes down to genetics. In the above-mentioned study on this snake's mitochondrial DNA, it was discovered that there is a 12.67 per cent difference from that of its nearest relatives, and this is based on samples collected in Guangxi.This finding underscores the vast undocumented biodiversity in southern China's old forests. The Huaping National Nature Reserve, where the snake was discovered, is now recognised as a habitat for hidden species, including a newly described amphibian, highlighting the broader significance of this discovery.With Calamaria incredibilis identified, researchers have set a new direction for field biologists, inspiring further exploration of the understated Brown snakes in China's forest floor.