The tiger keelbacks seek out nasty snacks for poisons to pass on to offspring
by Science News Staff, November 11, 2014
When
female Rhabdophis tigrinus snakes are breeding, they seeks out toxic
toads to eat. The snakes can then pass the poisons on to their offspring
as chemical defenses.
Female tiger keelback snakes seek out toxic toads to eat when breeding, researchers report
November 12 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B. A taste for toxins
may arm their young, keeping them safe until they can hunt for their own
defenses.
Rhabdophis
tigrinus snakes, found across Asia, store chemicals from Bufo japonicus
toads in special nuchal glands. These glands release the toxins when
the snake is attacked. Males and nonbreeding females eat few toads,
preferring tastier prey such as green tree frogs. But breeding females
prefer environments populated with toads and will follow the trails of
these poisonous snacks, passing the toxins on to their offspring.
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