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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by Cro on November 7, 2008
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Very good questions.
Several factors could come into play, such as differences in Vision Acuteness between the different types of snakes.
I do remember reading a study years ago where young rattlesnakes were tested for their reaction to a "shadow" passing overhead. I seem to remember that they took cardboard and fashioned the size and shapes of birds of prey with wings outstretched. Perhaps it was in Copea or Herpetologicia. Has been a really long time, but from what I remember, the neonate rattlesnakes did react to the threat from above. Perhaps I can find the study again.
Best Regards John Z
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by Cro on November 7, 2008
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Also, I have noticed that when photographing Cottonmouths from face to face level, or ground level, they do not gape, but when photographing them from above, they often gape.
Best Regards John Z
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by 23bms on November 7, 2008
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A shadow has a horizontal effect on the surrounding area. That doesn't necessarily imply an OVERHEAD awareness.
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by agkistrodude on November 8, 2008
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I prefer front swing open. With top open you can't stack, with front slide open, the tracks get jammed with substrate. With swing open, the door can also be used as kind of a sheild, when nesessary. Take care, Marty
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by Cro on November 8, 2008
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"That doesn't necessarily imply an OVERHEAD awareness."
Yep, that is why I want to find the original study again, and see what the exact conclusions were, and how the study was conducted. Reaction to an overhead shape would be different to reaction to a shadow.
Best Regards John Z
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by 23bms on November 8, 2008
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But are they reacting to something they SEE overhead by looking up, or to the secondary effect - the shadow - on the ground? Interesting. I hope you find the article.
jrb
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by FSB on November 10, 2008
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John, I remember a study like that being done many years ago, perhaps by Konrad Lorenz(?) which involved ducklings or chicks. A silouette was created such that, turned in one direction, it looked like a long-necked goose flying overhead, but turned the other way, it looked like a raptor. The research found that the ducklings or chicks ignored the goose silouette flying overhead, but ran for cover from the hawk. I can't remember, though, whether they were responding to the shadow on the ground or the actual sillouette. I'll have to find that old book somewhere...
As for cottonmouths, I love to see them gape, so they are one snake I intentionally make aware of my presence when I'm out swamping on the coast. They are one of the easiest snakes to photograph since they'll usually just sit there, unless you really invade their personal space (which most people wouldn't think of doing).
Like most aquatic snakes, cottonmouths have eyes that are set a little higher on their heads... this might help them be more aware of things going on above them. I would also imagine that herons are a primary predator of young cottonmouths, and herons and other tall birds would definitely attack from above.
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RE: Can anyone tell me the dangers/anything else..
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by 23bms on November 10, 2008
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I vaguely remember reading at one time about the shadow effect on poultry. Long before, back when I was flying B-52s, we were ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN ON PAIN OF DEATH to go anywhere near a poultry farm while low level. The shadow, the noise, whatever, seemed to drive the animals on the ground over the edge. If you wandered out of corridor over a turkey farm you were dead meat.
Regarding cottonmouths, their characteristic resting position is with the head angled sharply up. It would make sense that they are more aware of overhead threats. Maybe their environment, swamps and the like, where a horizontal approach is not likely, has attuned them to the overhead threat environment.
Actually, most of the Ags are that way, even those partial to dryer terrain. Interesting.
jrb
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