Typically shy and solitary creatures, substantial mystery surrounds snakes, such that a number of persistent myths have developed over the centuries. Let’s have a little post-series about some of the common Snake Myths!Myth #1: “Snakes can sting you with their sharp, pointy tongues!”
The forked tongue is a feature shared by many reptiles, but none so familiar as the constantly flicking tongue of snakes, but it’s entirely harmless. A snake’s tongue is designed for smelling, not stinging.
Constantly flicking allows snakes to collect particles from the air with their moist forked tongue, which is far more efficient than simply breathing particles through their nostrils as we do. As they do so, they withdraw their tongue and poke the two pointy tips into two small holes in the roof of their mouth that lead to an extremely sensitive organ called the Jacobson’s organ. Thousands of times more sensitive than our own sense of smell, snakes are able to detect molecules that are entirely undetectable by us.Moreover, the fork in their tongue allows them to accurately measure the directional intensity of the scent. If the scent is stronger on the right fork of their tongue, the snake simple turns right to pursue the smell further, gradually zeroing in on whatever has their interest. The tips of their tongues are reinforced with keratin, the same substance your fingernails & hair is made of, hence it’s dark colour and sharpness, but it’s entirely inoffensive. Like their body scales, they regularly shed the keratinized tips of their tongue as they wear & grow.
The absolute WORST damage that a snake can inflict with it’s sharp tongue is tickling you! Sandy, my Florida kingsnake, is quite active and particularly notorious for his tongue-tickles as he explores whoever is handling him. 
