Fighting dynamics of male copperheads,Agkistrodon contortrix (Serpentes, Viperidae): Stress-induced inhibition of sexual behavior in losers
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:33.3.CO;2-E Adult male copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) fight for priority of access to females during the mating periods in spring and late summer. During fights, one male abruptly quits and retreats, and the other chases in pursuit. One male thus emerges as the winner and the other as the loser. Reversal of this outcome does […]
Prey chemical discrimination and strike-induced chemosensory searching in lizards: Their absence in a crotaphytid lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) and a proposal for research in zoos
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:33.3.CO;2-5 Lizards in seleroglossan families of actively foraging carnivores and the herbivorous iguanids use the tongue to gather chemical samples to detect, identify, and locate food prior to attack, and to relocate lost food. In contrast, previously studied iguanian families other than Iguanidae lack lingually mediated prey chemical discrimination (PCD) and do not exhibit […]
Comparison of chemosensory behavior and prey trail-following in the varanoid lizards Varanus gouldii and Heloderma suspectum
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:33.3.CO;2-C In the first of three experiments, Gould’s monitor lizards Varanus gouldii (n = 8) and Gila monsters Heloderma suspectum (n = 8) were tested to determine whether a postingestion elevation in tongue-flick rate (PETF) occurred. Based on analysis of numbers of tongue-flicks during 20 successive minutes following treatments and controls, significant PETF was […]
Does enrichment improve reptile welfare? Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) respond to five types of environmental enrichment
Animal welfare is a high priority for pet owners and accredited zoos and aquariums. Current approaches to measuring welfare focus on identifying consensus among behavioral and physiological indicators of positive and negative emotions. Environmental enrichment is a common strategy used to improve the welfare of captive animals. In enrichment programs, knowledge of an animal’s ecology […]