Heavy, Bulky, or Both: What Does “Large Prey” Mean to Snakes?

Greene, Harry W.; Wiseman, Kevin D.

doi:10.1670/22-068

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 291 publications

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“…Snakes are an almost universally gape‐limited clade that have evolved a variety of behavioral, physiological, and mechanical strategies that enable them to consume larger prey items (i.e., heavier and/or bulkier, sensu Greene & Wiseman, 2023 ). Snakes serve as a model system for studying how the relative size of predators and prey affects diet and feeding ecology (Greene, 1983 ; Jayne et al., 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gape‐limited invasive predator frequently kills avian prey that are too large to swallow

Kastner,

Goetz,

Baker

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Gape‐limited predators (e.g., snakes, many fish) are not generally expected to pose a predation threat to prey that are too large for them to swallow. However, the extent to which snakes predate on prey that exceed their gape limitation remains largely unknown. We conducted the first study to investigate the influence of both prey and predator sizes on the frequency of ingestion success by snakes in a natural system. We combined survival monitoring of an avian prey species (Aplonis opaca) via radio‐telemetry with a survey of the size distribution of their major predator (Boiga irregularis) on Guam. This allowed us to assess (1) the frequency of unsuccessful ingestion by the predator, (2) whether the size of the prey predicts ingestion success, (3) whether the size of the predator predicts ingestion success, and (4) the relationship between prey and predator sizes in successful ingestion attempts. We found that nearly half (47.95%) of ingestion attempts by snakes on fledgling birds were unsuccessful, and no instances where unsuccessful ingestion caused the mortality of the snake. Attempts to consume smaller fledglings were as likely to be unsuccessful as attempts to swallow larger fledglings. However, snakes that successfully ingested fledglings were among the largest snakes in the population, and larger than average conspecifics attracted to endothermic prey. The smallest snakes that successfully ingested fledglings attained remarkably high relative prey mass values for their species, consuming prey weighing up to 79.9% of their own mass. Our study indicates that B. irregularis routinely predate prey that are too large for them to successfully ingest, which causes mortality to the prey but poses little risk to the predator. The potential reward for snakes in consuming oversized prey may outweigh the inherent risks, while instances of predation that do not result in consumption may have considerable impacts on prey populations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gape‐limited invasive predator frequently kills avian prey that are too large to swallow

Kastner,

Goetz,

Baker

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Paedomorphosis and retention of juvenile diet lead speciation in a group of Neotropical snakes (Colubroides-Philodryadini)

Chuliver,

Scanferla

2024

Sci Rep

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Dipsadidae is one of the largest clades of extant reptiles, showing an impressive morphological and ecological diversity. Despite this fact, the developmental processes behind its diversity are still largely unknown. In this study, we used 3D reconstructions based on micro-CT data and geometric morphometrics to evaluate the skull morphology of Philodryas agassizii, a small, surface-dwelling dipsadid that consume spiders. Adult individuals of P. agassizii exhibit a cranial morphology frequently observed in juveniles of other surface-dwelling colubroideans, represented in our analysis by its close relative Philodryas patagoniensis. Large orbits, gibbous neurocranial roof and a relatively short jaw complex are features present in juveniles of the latter species. Furthermore, we performed an extensive survey about diet of P. patagoniensis in which we detected an ontogenetic dietary shift, indicating that arthropods are more frequently consumed by juveniles of this dietary generalist. Thus, we infer that P. agassizzii retained not only the ancestral juvenile skull morphology but also dietary preferences. This study reveals that morphological changes driven by heterochronic changes, specifically paedomorphosis, influenced the retention of ancestral life history traits in P. agassizii, and therefore promoted cladogenesis. In this way, we obtained first evidence that heterochronic processes lead speciation in the snake megadiverse clade Dipsadidae.

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Feeding behavior varies based upon prey defenses in the ground snake (Squamata: Serpentes: Sonora episcopa)

Gripshover,

Meik,

Nicholson

et al. 2024

Journal of Zoology

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Predators with diverse diets can use generalized feeding behavior to consume different prey types or can alter behavior based upon the functional demands of each prey type. Prey choice and feeding behavior are especially important for limbless, gape‐limited predators, such as snakes, because the head must capture, subdue, and ingest prey. Although previous studies have described how snakes feed on dangerous prey, these studies have not compared how behaviors might vary with different prey types. We analyzed the feeding behavior of ground snakes (Sonora episcopa) that were fed scorpions, spiders, and centipedes. Ground snakes successfully consumed each prey type using different behaviors for each prey. To capture prey, snakes used the unusual behavior of pinning prey with the ventral surface of the head with a closed mouth strike before biting. Snakes grasped and envenomated scorpions in all trials, and this behavior lasted significantly longer for scorpions than for spiders. During envenomation, snakes used their body to pin the telson of the scorpion to reduce the likelihood of being stung. Rather than using body restraint to subdue spiders, the snakes often dragged spiders across the substrate with the mandible. Scorpions repeatedly pinched and stung snakes during feeding and snakes used body restraint to subdue this prey significantly more often than spiders. Our study revealed that ground snakes alter feeding behavior based upon prey defenses and use novel prey capture and handling behaviors to subdue prey, suggesting there is yet unappreciated diversity of feeding behavior in snakes allowing them to exploit dangerous arthropod prey.

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Heavy, Bulky, or Both: What Does “Large Prey” Mean to Snakes?

Cited by 3 publications

References 291 publications

Gape‐limited invasive predator frequently kills avian prey that are too large to swallow

Gape‐limited invasive predator frequently kills avian prey that are too large to swallow

Paedomorphosis and retention of juvenile diet lead speciation in a group of Neotropical snakes (Colubroides-Philodryadini)

Feeding behavior varies based upon prey defenses in the ground snake (Squamata: Serpentes: Sonora episcopa)

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