Fly fishing

Like a human angler, the aquatic garter snake tests different fishing spots until it finds the right conditions. Then it uses its own tongue as a lure, in the snake version of fly-fishing. By lightly flicking its tongue on the water's surface it makes tiny indents that resemble the marks left by flying insects. These are irresistible to baby trout. The snakes only seem to use this ploy during the first year of their life, until they are big enough to tackle larger prey. Sooner or later, ingenuity and patience pays off and the youngster catches a fish.