In one of the most bizarre yet somewhat heartwarming videos on the internet, Youtuber scientist Allen Pan has built an exoskeleton with prosthetic legs so that snakes can finally walk again.
After conducting research into the biology of snakes, he discovered that snakes do have legs while they are embryos but they surprisingly grow into two sets of reproductive organs instead.
However, there is a species of lizards called three-toed skink which does have legs and is the closest reptile that resembles a snake with legs.
Pan points out that deformed snakes have long been neglected by humanity which is why he took it upon himself to assist the reptilian species.
“When any other animal has deformed legs, humanity comes together and we build that animal awesome new cyborg legs”.
“I actually feel bad for snakes. They lost their legs and nobody is trying to find them.”
Snakes in a tube… with legs
Snake legs design process
While on a mission to grant snakes their long lost ability to walk, Pan’s first set of legs which he straps to a plush toy snake looks more like spider legs which are terrifying.
Imagine those legs scurrying towards you at high speed. Maybe don’t because the thought may give you nightmares.
Pan scraps this idea as it looks as if any slithering species using this gear would feel trapped or constricted by the blood pressure straps above the prosthetic spider legs.
Not wishing to be labelled a snake abuser, Pan states:
“I’m going to get in so much trouble for this. I cannot strap this to a real snake.”
There also would be no support for the middle of the snakes’ body which is what led him to design a cylindrical exoskeleton for reptiles to stretch out in as part of the “Snake Legs 2.0”.
“Instead of pressure cuffs, I need a design that a snake can somehow choose to put on or take off.” said the YouTuber in his video.
Once Pan completed the second version of his robot legs, he explains that each of the robots legs have two servos which are connected to a servo controller board that can be activated wirelessly and programmed with a laptop.
“The body is just a tube so the snake can get in whenever it wants and get out whenever it wants. Totally voluntary.” he emphasises.
When it was time to program how the robot legs would move, Pan realised that he had no clue has to how snakes are supposed to walk. This encourages him to visit a pet store which has a reptiles section so that he can observe how reptiles walk and program similar movements into his robot legs.
Snake legs 2.0
After programming a reptile like movement into the robot legs, Pan visits a local snake breeder to see how real snakes would interact with his robot legs. After multiple failed attempts where the snake appeared uninterested, it finally embraced the robot legs and let Pan walk it across the room.
“The snakes want their legs back!” says the excited YouTuber.
“This snake seems to be having the time of her life, she really learned that “I can just chill in here and move and not have to move myself?? Siiiiiiick” said a user in the comments section of the YouTube video.
At least now, those who have snakes for pets finally won’t have to wait while their snakes slowly slither behind them on a walk because now, it’s possible for people to walk their snakes with this new exoskeleton and prosthesis.
“As a snake owner with a legless snake, I am so grateful that there is someone looking out for the little guys.” said a YouTube user.
Other users thanked Pan for his efforts by stating:
“I didn’t expect this video to end up being so deeply heartwarming, watching that snake walk around is like watching a wheelchair-bound man finally be able to walk again – though the second one is less funny. Thank you, Allen “Snake God” Pan.”