Feeding Behavior Poll

[guidofatherof5]

The behavior I'm taking about is the tail rattling/waving while eating.
I'd like you opinion on why they do it:

[chris-uk]

To draw attention away from their head end, and giving them a better chance of eating without another snake stealing it. Certainly the only time I've seen it has been when the tail shaker is at risk of having their dinner stolen.

[Stefan-A]

I've never seen any tail rattling, but I have seen tail whipping, both when a female has wanted to get rid of a courting male, and when an eating snake is being touched by another.

[EKS56]

That Black rat snake I have been working with does it every time he feed's. My Blacknecks have never done it.

I think he does it as a defense for anything to stay away. He feels vulnerable when his mouth is full.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

My marcianus seems to wave her tail about in an attempt to find something to grip onto so she can quickly flee if disturbed... I could be wrong though

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I wouldn't call it rattling because its more of a... they take the entire back half of their body and crack it like a whip... but I selected both... because the reasons are interlinked and it's quite obvious that it serves those purposes.

[chris-uk]

Is it me or are there more poll options now?

[ConcinusMan]

Same reason they rattle any other time I think. A snake in the process of eating isn't going to be able or want to move from his current spot. Rattling keeps them from getting stepped on, molested, or otherwise interrupted until they can get their meal eaten. Obviously an eating rattler isn't going to be able to make any defensive bites so I think the rattling helps prevent him ever having to bite defensively. Most critters and people are going to hear that rattle and give him some space.

I've had kings/milks, gopher snakes, and even yellow belly racers "rattle" while eating too. Racers even do it to attract lizards to their tail thinking it's something they can eat. They use it to "fish" for lizards, bringing them in close enough to strike.

[jwolfe152]

im sure most have seen this but its probably the best example of snakes using the tail for luring lizards

Spider-tailed Horned Viper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ConcinusMan]

Yup. I've seen racers do it, then make attempts to bite nearby lizards as they get curious and step closer to see what's wiggling.