U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Date of this Version
April 2000
Abstract
In continuing investigations of brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, attraction to carrion odor, we hypothesized that the attractiveness of live or dead and visually apparent or concealed lures varies seasonally. We determined that lure condition (live or dead mouse lures) and sensory cues (visually apparent or concealed lure) interact among wet and dry seasons. Concealed carrion lures were more effective during the dry season than the wet season, but the effectiveness of live mouse lures showed less seasonal variability. We identified weather variables that covary with observed seasonal trends in capture rates and investigated the influence of recent feeding on snake response to lures. Data suggest that live mouse lure capture rates correlate with wind and dead mouse capture rates correlate with rainfall. Recently fed and satiated snakes were not less responsive to lures but were less active than unfed snakes. Snakes held for over 2 years were less responsive than recently captured snakes. More intensive studies will be required to determine cause-and-effect relationships between lure type, seasonality, and snake behavior.
Comments
Published in Can. J. Zool. 78: 79-84 (2000). © 2000 NRC Canada. Permission to use.