| Abstract: | Tested isolation-reared sympatric water snakes (Nerodia r. rhombifera, N. c. cyclopion, and N. fasciata confluens) in a balanced 2-choice design to determine preference between clean and same-sex conspecific-soiled gravel substrates. Ss included 8 snakes (4 of each sex) of each species. Time spent on each substrate, types of tongue flicking behavior, tail vibration, defecation, and head rubbing were recorded. Species and sex differences were found in the relative time spent on the 2 substrates. Both sexes of N. rhombifera preferred the clean substrate, whereas both sexes of N. cyclopion preferred the soiled substrate, although the difference in time spent on the substrates was small for males. N. fasciata sexes differed in their preference, with the females preferring the soiled substrate and the males preferring, but not so strongly, the clean substrate. The frequencies of the 4 types of tongue extensions differed across species and sexes, with "air" tongue flicks accounting for the most variance. A lower total rate of tongue flicking occurred when the snakes were on the preferred substrate. These species and sex differences may help minimize competition due to dietary overlap between N. rhombifera and N. cyclopion, and between male and female N. fasciata. (33 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
