Presentation Details
| Prey type and size affect the feeding behavior of blind snakes (Afrotyphlops spp.) Emma K James, Bruce C Jayne. University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA |
Abstract
Unlike most snakes, blind snakes (Scolecophidia) usually consume large numbers of very small prey such as ants and termites, but studies of their feeding behavior are scanty. Hence, we videotaped feedings of two large species of Afrotyphlops to test how the size of ant larvae (0.2-107 mg), ant pupae (2-101 mg), and beetle larvae (10-460 mg) affected the prey handling times and feeding behavior. Handling times of ant larvae, ant pupae, and beetle larvae ranged from 0.07-2.04 s, 0.16-5.40 s, and 0.88-88.83 s, respectively, and all these quantities had highly significant increases with increased prey size. These snakes readily ate (compressible) prey with diameters exceeding their maximal gape. All ant larvae and pupae were swallowed intact, and the orientation of ant larvae during swallowing was random. Regardless of their size, beetle larvae were usually (87%) consumed tail-first and were commonly decapitated. Ours and previous accounts of Typhlopids and Leptotyphlopids suggest the interesting possibility that the capacity to dismember prey may be widespread in Scolecophidians, despite substantial variation in the relevant dentition and cranial morphology.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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