RAY, Julie M.*; PIKE, David A.; Old Dominion University; Glatting-Jackson Inc.: Defensive behaviors in neotropical snakes: an interspecific comparison

Snakes, like many organisms, are prone to high rates of predation, and many species have behavioral or morphological adaptations to reduce predation pressures. These include crypsis, aggressiveness, flight behavior, and many others. Interspecific comparisons of defensive behaviors can help determine how ecological niches, and thus predation pressure (due to predators occupying these habitats), shape defensive behavior. Although diversity of neotropical snakes is extremely high, relatively few detailed studies exist on their natural history, including defensive behavior. We used cluster analyses on both original (17 species) and published (over 100 species) defensive snake behavior data to test for life history trends of 61 different reptile defensive behaviors. We found differences in defensive behaviors between arboreal and terrestrial species. Head burying as a defensive posture was observed in several different genera of snakes. This study provides much needed documentation of defensive behaviors in several snake species, contributing to the natural history of each. We also discuss the need for standardizing tests of snake defensive behavior because of the many variables affecting their ecology and natural history.