Newsweek: UC snake research fit for Halloween
UC biologist Bruce Jayne studied snakes that rip apart their prey alive
Newsweek turned to University of Cincinnati biologist Bruce Jayne for a Halloween feature about a ghastly creature that rips its prey apart alive.
Jayne first described the unique hunting methods of Asia's cat-eyed water snakes, which look for molting soft-shelled crabs it can rip and devour in pieces.
"Like a high-end chef choosing the finest meat, these snakes will only attack prey when they are ripe for the picking, around 10 to 15 minutes after the animals have molted their shells," Newsweek wrote.
"The Halloween-like surprise is the snake's ho-hum appearance and yet savage behavior!" Jayne told Newsweek.
Jayne used infrared cameras to capture the behavior unsettlingly up close. Like the first victims in a slasher movie, the crabs stand no chance.
"Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you would never guess that this little snake with such a mundane appearance was such a ferocious and accomplished predator," Jayne told Newsweek.
Featured image at top: UC professor Bruce Jayne holds a brown tree snake. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
More UC snake research
UC professor Bruce Jayne holds a vine snake. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand
UC Magazine: Whither the Slither?
National Geographic: These snakes can jump and scientists want to know why
New York Times: How the Snake Pours Its Way Across the Ground
UC Magazine: Snake Surprise!
National Science Foundation: Expert unlocks mechanics of how snakes move in a straight line
Related Stories
'Very inspiring'; UC professor wins award for greenhouse-gas research, credits students for her passion
October 30, 2026
Amy Townsend-Small, a College of Arts and Sciences professor, won the 2026 Sustainability Leadership award for her nearly two decades of work looking into the oil and gas industries. Townsend-Small, who teaches for the School of Environment and Sustainability (SEaS), said she studies where methane is emitted through the life cycle of natural gas, and what can be done to reduce emissions. Methane, according to Townsend-Small, is very good at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Specifically, she works to quantify the emissions with the goal to be providing accurate data for policy change.
Arts and Sciences student wins national award for work on vigilante political violence in India
October 29, 2026
A competitive academic award in the political sciences arena has been captured by College of Arts and Sciences student, Yash Sharma. The prestigious HFG Emerging Scholar award is open to students from across the world and every discipline within the scope of political violence. Sharma's dissertation is on the study of anti-minority vigilante violence, specifically religious nationalism and political violence in his home country of India.
UC engineers drones that know if they're damaged
October 29, 2026
UC engineering students are developing drones that can work in warehouses using a digital twin and others that can warn of damaged propellers or motors before a flight.