"Coral Snake" Rings: Are They Helpful in Foraging?
Of the several theories proposed to explain the bright ringed patterns found in the coral snake species complex, only one relates the ringed pattern to increased hunting success. Parent birds may respond to the sight of a nearby snake by actions that give away the location of their nest. If bright,...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Copeia 1985-05, Vol.1985 (2), p.384-387 |
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Hauptverfasser: | , |
Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
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Online-Zugang: | Volltext |
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Zusammenfassung: | Of the several theories proposed to explain the bright ringed patterns found in the coral snake species complex, only one relates the ringed pattern to increased hunting success. Parent birds may respond to the sight of a nearby snake by actions that give away the location of their nest. If bright, ringed patterns elicit this behavior more than cryptic patterns do, then ringed snakes that eat eggs or nestling birds should have a hunting advantage over cryptic snakes. However, in field tests with nesting American Robins (Turdus migratorius), a red, yellow and black ringed snake model elicited no more response than did a plain brown snake model. Based on current evidence, the most likely advantage of bright, ringed patterns to snakes is to confer protection against predators, either via camouflage or as warning coloration in mimicry systems. |
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ISSN: | 0045-8511 1938-5110 |
DOI: | 10.2307/1444848 |