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More Observations on Head Bobbing
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by Phobos on October 17, 2004
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Hi All:
Just wanted to share futher observations on "head bobbing" or flicking seen in some snakes Like Bitis, Sisturus, and others.
Saturday is feeding day for my collection. I fed my Juv Rhino her first f/t mouse and then she had a "day old Quail" I introduced another quail after she was finished and she started the "head bobbing", so I stopped and withdrew the second quail. She was clearly not interested in more quail. For the mouse & first quail she actively stalked the "prey" I was slowly moving around.
It has been suggested on this forum in the past that this behavior was related to a type of "luring" but after further observations I think it may be a warning or terratorial display, not unlike what is seen in lizards. I have seen it many times while looking at Zoo collection specimens of B. nasicornis while getting as close as I could through the glass.
If I had thought of it at the time, it would have been very interesting to have tried another mouse and see what her reaction was. I will plan this experiment for the future scheduled feedings. I will try to get a video camera set up too.
Of course, I welcome discussion to share ideas.
Al
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RE: More Observations on Head Bobbing
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by ALA_herp31 on October 17, 2004
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Al, ive noticed the same reaction from Bitis, and other species as well at local zoos. I agree with you, i think it very well could be terratorial display. I would say you are on to somthing. Let us know what you find out as you do more expearments....Good luck.....happy herping Wally
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RE: More Observations on Head Bobbing
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Anonymous post on October 17, 2004
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Ive noticed the same thing in copperheads and cottonmouths. They flick theyre tongue and bob there head rapidly. I think that it is a warning display. Either that or theyre horny. Good luck.
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RE: More Observations on Head Bobbing
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Anonymous post on October 18, 2004
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All nasicornis are "horny" (LOL).
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RE: More Observations on Head Bobbing
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by Hellemar on October 18, 2004
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Hi...
I´ve noticed the same behaviour with my male Mojave rattler (Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus) - he´s WC last year, but he came to my collection just a litte bit more than 1 mounth ago, så I have just fed him like 3 or 4 times, but everytime he´s been bopping his head lika a horny atrox...
I don´t think that he´s horny, because he´s just have 5 segments on he´s rattle, so he can´t be old enough yet, so I belive it must be some kind of territorial behavior, but when I first noticed this behavior I just have had him for a coupple of days...
I have also noticed the same behaviour with some Pygme rattlers (Sistrurus miliarius barbouri) and also some Copperheads (both broadbanded and Trans Peco´s)... But I belive that all of them were males...
Henke :)
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