Re: SCAVENGING SNAKES

[tuckercj@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu]

Just a quick note of support for this.  I volunteer in a nature center
where we have on display various endemic snakes of Ohio & occassionally we
feed a few of them dead rats or mice & they have no problem eating them
(some actually prefer them dead).  Perhaps it has something to do with
bio-energetics.   All of these snakes are wild; they have been brought in
by various individuals. There is nothing physically wrong with them
& they could be released at any time without trouble (this is important
for establishing the "wild" classification so that there is not a
descrepancy between "wild" & "tame pet".).

Hope this helps.  (Sorry if it doesn't make complete sense, it's very
early & I had about 3 hours of sleep last night).

Casey T.
TUCKERCJ@po.muohio.edu



************************************************************> 
> (I am not an 'ophidiologist', but..) No, it is not really true - 
> there ARE reported cases of wild snakes eating dead (sometimes long 
> dead) animals. Of course, such behaviour IS rare, but that doesn't 
> mean it doesn't happen.. Am I making myself clear? There is no rule 
> here that sticks for all occasions.
> 
> I recall some excellent anecdotes relating to snakes eating 
> dead prey in YALDEN'S _British Snakes_ (or was it Langley's 
> _British Snakes_?). 
> 
> DARREN NAISH
> darren.naish@port.ac.uk
>