Hey, Snake—Rattle
This!
Some furry little creatures are born to taunt rattlesnakes
Ground squirrels
and kangaroo rats may not look so tough, but when a rattlesnake shows
up, they get feisty.
References:
Swaisgood, R.R.,
M.P. Rowe, and D.H. Owings. 1999. Assessment of rattlesnake
dangerousness by California ground squirrels: Exploitation of cues
from rattling sounds. Animal Behaviour 57(June):1301.
Further Readings:
Coss, R.G., and
D.H. Owings. 1989. Rattler battlers. Natural History 98(May):30.
Sources:
James E. Biardi
University of California, Davis
Psychology Department
Graduate Group in Ecology
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
Richard G. Coss
University of California, Davis
Psychology Department
Davis, CA 95616
Donald H. Owings
University of California, Davis
Department of Psychology
Davis, CA 95616
Jan A. Randall
San Francisco State University
Department of Biology
San Francisco, CA 94132
Matthew P. Rowe
Appalachian State University
Department of Biology
Boone, NC 28608
Ronald R.
Swaisgood
Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species
Zoological Society of San Diego
P.O. Box 551
San Diego, CA 92112
From Science
News, Vol. 156, No. 15, October 9, 1999, p. 237. Copyright © 1999,
Science Service. |