Abstract
Mice (Mus musculus) were suspended for 10 sec into the home cages of prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) without touching the walls or floors. All tongue flicks (TFs) emitted by the rattlesnakes were recorded for 20 min following removal of prey, and separate tallies were made of TFs emitted in the right and left sides of the cages. More TFs were emitted in the side in which prey had been suspended than in the opposite side, regardless of whether the mouse was struck during the 10-sec presentation. It is concluded that rattlesnakes orient to the place briefly occupied by prey and that subsequent chemosensory searching is aimed according to this orientation. After a successful strike, this could facilitate subsequent location of the trail deposited by the envenomated prey (which is usually released following the strike). When there has been no opportunity for a strike, the direction of TFs toward the spot previously occupied by prey may facilitate relocation of the prey (i.e., stalking).
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This work was completed while K. Kandler was an exchange student at the University of Colorado.
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Kandler, K., Chiszar, D. Spatial orientation by prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) following the predatory strike. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 24, 169–170 (1986). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330536
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330536