What is the name of the snake’s forked sensory tongue organ?

A snake’s forked tongue is a sensory organ that collects chemical particles from the environment.

When a snake flicks its tongue, the two tips sample odors from slightly different positions. The tongue then transfers those particles to the vomeronasal, or Jacobson’s, organs in the roof of the mouth. Comparing the two samples helps the snake detect direction.

This system gives snakes detailed chemical information even when visibility is poor. It can help them locate prey, follow trails, recognize potential mates, and investigate unfamiliar surroundings.

The tongue does not inject venom, taste in the same way as a human tongue, or act as a tiny nose. Smell-related information is processed through the vomeronasal organs, while the forked shape provides separated samples. Snakes also have ordinary nasal passages for breathing and olfaction.