Ontogenetic shifts and sex differences in caudal luring in the dusky pygmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri

    Authors

    A. M. Rabatsky;J. M. Waterman

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Herpetologica

    Keywords

    behavior; caudal luring; foraging; ontogeny; rattlesnake; FLORIDA; Zoology

    Abstract

    Caudal luring is a behavior used by many ambush-foraging snakes that increases their encounter rate with prey. In this study, we used the dusky pigmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri, in a series of trials involving prey and measured the frequency and duration of caudal hiring. This behavior varied ontogenetically, with adults never performing caudal luring. juveniles that lured for longer durations were more successful in attracting prey. Males and females caudal lured in equal frequency but females took longer time periods to achieve a similar level of foraging success. Because the tails are sexually dimorphic in this species, we suggest that the longer tail of the male may be a more effective luring device. This is the first quantification of a sex difference in caudal luring, and the results suggest important differences in foraging ecology among males and females.

    Journal Title

    Herpetologica

    Volume

    61

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2005

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    87

    Last Page

    91

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000229100000001

    ISSN

    0018-0831

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