Hooding cobras can get ahead of other snakes in the ability to evoke human fear DOI Creative Commons
Daniel Frynta, Iveta Štolhoferová, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi

et al.

The Science of Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(1)

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Abstract Fear of snakes is common not only in humans but also other primates. Consequently, are salient stimuli associated with prioritized attention, early detection and emotional significance. This has been interpreted as an adaptive evolutionary response the primate brain to a risk envenoming by hidden snake. However, struggle between mammals one-sided. Humans carnivores regularly kill snakes, thus develop deterring defensive behaviour that may directly evoke enhanced fear. Here, we show depicted threatening posture evoked on average more fear than those resting posture. Significantly, African (Somali) European (Czech) respondents considerably agreed relative elicited various snakes. Nonetheless, all postures equally efficient. Threatening cobras were perceived top fear-evoking stimuli, even though most them considered very frightening effect can be attributed their conspicuous hooding which evolved into efficient warning signal for mammalian predators. Our result demonstrates effective ability human simple behavioural display—hooding. primarily explained evolution successfully exploited pre-existing cognitive mechanisms mammals. Whether ancestors cohabiting deadly venomous further improved uncertain, likely.

Language: Английский

Individual capture history affects site use and defensive behavior of foraging eastern copperheads at a recreational site DOI Creative Commons
J. Benjamin Stratton, Stephen C. Richter

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 79(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract To maximize energy available for foraging or reproduction, optimality theory suggests individuals allocate toward defensive behaviors equivalent to risk of predation. In this framework, repeat encounters with humans by wildlife that do not reduce individual fitness could result in a decreased response subsequent encounters. We investigated whether experience influenced the and frequency site use eastern copperheads ( Agkistrodon contortrix ) at Koomer Ridge Campground Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky. Beginning 2015, has been used annual mark-recapture studies copperhead ecology as they predate emerging cicadas Neotibicen tibicen ). Using standardized behavioral trial, we tested how behavior was capture history, body size, soil temperature. Model averaging results indicated overall intensity increased history length, temperature positively associated likelihood respond when touched. Number years recaptured significant, positive predictor 2022. Therefore, longer histories visit forage more frequently are willing defend their opportunity forage, suggesting degree acquired tolerance absent from naïve snakes fled readily. Collectively, these provide evidence our modulate based on previous efficiently seasonally abundant prey item.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Variation in defensive and exploratory behaviors across a rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus × viridis) hybrid zone in Southwestern new Mexico DOI Creative Commons
Dylan W. Maag, Yannick Francioli, Matthias Goetz

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 8, 2025

Abstract Studies on animal temperaments (consistent differences in behaviors across contexts) and behavioral syndromes (suites of correlated have surged recent decades. Accordingly, ecologists gained greater appreciation for their evolutionary role significance. Yet, despite importance as potential drivers, research focused temperament shaping hybridization events is vastly understudied. Case studies shown that has multiple effects these phenomena, such eliminating present parental lineages generating novel within hybrids. Here, we assessed a naturally occurring rattlesnake hybrid zone ( Crotalus scutulatus × viridis ). We used laboratory assays to quantify defensive explorative behaviors, tested whether traits were with spatial hunting free-ranging individuals. C. was more significantly prone rattle than during handling tests. Similarly, individuals had proportion genome derived from also rattle. Parental snakes exhibited varying defensiveness exploratory yet further necessary determine they impact fitness by creating mismatches between predation pressures under natural conditions.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The relationship between movement and personality is dependent upon the seasons in the western diamond-backed rattlesnake DOI
Océane Da Cunha,

J. Mead,

Braulio A. Sanchez

et al.

Animal Behaviour, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 223, P. 123181 - 123181

Published: April 18, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Hooding cobras can get ahead of other snakes in the ability to evoke human fear DOI Creative Commons
Daniel Frynta, Iveta Štolhoferová, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi

et al.

The Science of Nature, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 112(1)

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Abstract Fear of snakes is common not only in humans but also other primates. Consequently, are salient stimuli associated with prioritized attention, early detection and emotional significance. This has been interpreted as an adaptive evolutionary response the primate brain to a risk envenoming by hidden snake. However, struggle between mammals one-sided. Humans carnivores regularly kill snakes, thus develop deterring defensive behaviour that may directly evoke enhanced fear. Here, we show depicted threatening posture evoked on average more fear than those resting posture. Significantly, African (Somali) European (Czech) respondents considerably agreed relative elicited various snakes. Nonetheless, all postures equally efficient. Threatening cobras were perceived top fear-evoking stimuli, even though most them considered very frightening effect can be attributed their conspicuous hooding which evolved into efficient warning signal for mammalian predators. Our result demonstrates effective ability human simple behavioural display—hooding. primarily explained evolution successfully exploited pre-existing cognitive mechanisms mammals. Whether ancestors cohabiting deadly venomous further improved uncertain, likely.

Language: Английский

Citations

1