Vulnerable babies.

[Stefan-A]

Makes perfect sense to me

It would explain a lot of the things that our garters do, wouldn't it?

[jitami]

MmmmHmmm... like sleeping under the substrate with your tender underbelly still easily visible and exposed to predators.... mmmmhmmmm...

Not to mention scaring your mommy half to death!

[guidofatherof5]

There is so much we don't know about these creatures. A lot of speculation and conjecture but makes for a great pool of ideas. Brainstorming is a great thing, especially among people with a passion for their welfare

[adamanteus]

I still think there's something in my 'decoy theory'.... but it needs research before I can really argue it.

[Stefan-A]

I still think there's something in my 'decoy theory'.... but it needs research before I can really argue it.

I think it definitely has merit. Provided that it's not something that we're causing.

[adamanteus]

It seems to me that babies hang around in small groups.... I have certainly found that young Grass Snakes do this. Along comes the hungry predator and the group scatters, all except for the stupid decoy..... what happens next?

[Stefan-A]

It seems to me that babies hang around in small groups.... I have certainly found that young Grass Snakes do this. Along comes the hungry predator and the group scatters, all except for the stupid decoy..... what happens next?

It picks the first one it sees, the brightest of the bunch; The first one to move.

[infernalis]

[adamanteus]

No, Stefan... this particular predator is a hedgehog, it's not so fast that it can grab the quick ones, it would have to follow them and root them out. So now what happens?

[Stefan-A]

No, Stefan... this particular predator is a hedgehog, it's not so fast that it can grab the quick ones, it would have to follow them and root them out. So now what happens?

It hears a car coming, rolls up into a ball and gets smooshed?