O. G. Dely szerk.: Vertebrata Hungarica 21. (Budapest, 1982)

Ananjeva, N.B. ; Orlov, N.L.: Feeding behaviour of snakes 25-32. o.

VERTEBRA TA HUNGARICA TOM. XXI. 1982 p. 25-31 Feeding behaviour of snakes* By N. B. ANANJEVA & N. L. ORLOV Abstract: This paper summarizes the results of 12 years of observations on various aspects of feeding behaviour of the snakes in terraria and in nature. It considers the strategies of prédation and the origin of caudal luring. It also reports similar tail displays In the mating behaviour of certain snakes and describes feeding In a number of snake species of the Colubridae, Vlperidae, Crotalldae. Finally, It discusses the patterns of prey location and pursuit, as well as the sequence in the use of analyzing organs. Animal behaviour has now become a subject of intense research. Of great Interest in this respect are reptiles, among which snakes appear to be the least Investigated. For this there are a number of reasons (CARPENTER 1977, CARPENTER & FERGUSON 1977), primarily, the difficulty of observing these secretive animals in their natural habitat, as well as of maintaining them In captivity. Most works on behavioral psychophyslology (learning ability, elaboration of conditioned reflexes, functioning of sensory organs) have been made oo tortoises (BURGHARD 1977). The last two decades have seen Intense research an the behaviour of lizards owing to the advances made by the so-called "objectivist" school of ethology (CHAUVEN 1972). The number of observations on the behaviour of snakes has Increased as well. Many zoologists have long realized that knowledge of reptilian behaviour would be Incomplete and many of the concepts untenable until work on reptiles Included saakea. WAGNER (1929), who pioneered research into animal behaviour In Russia, separated most behaviours Into three large complexes, namely 1) feeding 2) reproduction and 3) self-preservation. The present paper deals with the first of the three problems and summarizes material on snake feeding habits collected from 12 years of observations in terraria and supported by studies In nature of the snake fauna of the USSR. It omits description of the maintenance conditions of the examined species (20 Boidae, 3 Elapidae, 100 Colubridae, 20 Vlperidae, 15 Crotalldae). An account of these can be found elsewhere. Most snakes show unique morphology, including elongate body shape; absence of limbs to dismember the prey; tooth system adapted for the capture; retention, or killing In the case of venomous snakes and swallowing of the prey; highly moveable skull allowing the swallowing whole • Paper presented by N. ANANJEVA at the First Herpetologlcal Conference of the Socialist Countries on the 26th August, 1981 in Budapest.