Araneophagic Behaviour of the Elusive Snake Liopeltis calamaria (Günther, 1858) (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae)

Authors

  • Surya Narayanan
     Wayanad Wild, Lakkidi, Vythiri, Wayanad, Kerala - 673576
  • Smaran Somanna
     Dunsundale Estate, Dunsundale PO, Ooty - 643001, Nilgiris
  • Pratyush P. Mohapatra
     Zoological Survey of India, Central Zone Regional Centre, Jabalpur - 482002, Madhya Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v120/i2/2020/148078

Keywords:

Diet, Feeding Behaviour, Liopeltis, Nilgiris, Spider.

Abstract

Colubrids have evolved various modes and specializations in feeding behaviour including handling dangerous preys. This paper reports araneophagic behaviour in calamaria reed snake, Liopeltis calamaria (Günther, 1858). In an experiment on feeding behaviour of this species, conducted in captivity, spiders were preferred prey than other soft-bodied insects. This observation confirmed and is in congruence with the earlier observations from the gut content of Liopeltis species.

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Published

2020-06-30

How to Cite

Narayanan, S., Somanna, S., & Mohapatra, P. P. (2020). Araneophagic Behaviour of the Elusive Snake <I>Liopeltis calamaria</I> (Günther, 1858) (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae). Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 120(2), 171–174. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v120/i2/2020/148078

Issue

Volume 120, Issue 2, 2020

Section

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