Cannibalism in smooth snakes, Coronella austriaca

Jofré, Gabriela M.; Reading, Christopher J.. 2020 Cannibalism in smooth snakes, Coronella austriaca. Herpetological Journal, 30 (3). 168-172. https://doi.org/10.33256/hj30.3.168172

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Abstract/Summary

Cannibalism is a widespread behavioural trait in nature and snakes are no exception. In smooth snakes (Coronella austriaca) it has only been visibly observed in captive individuals or known from faecal/stomach content analyses. Between 2009 and 2018 one incidence of cannibalism, determined from a faecal sample, and one sighting, were recorded in wild smooth snakes in Wareham Forest plantations, UK. Analysis of faecal samples and visual encounter surveys were used to estimate its frequency. Both records occurred in early autumn and our results suggest that its incidence in wild smooth snakes in southern England is low (0.1-0.3 %) and may be the result of low body condition. The circumstances resulting in cannibalism in the smooth snake may also be relevant to other animal species where cannibalism has been reported.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.33256/hj30.3.168172
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	0268-0130
Additional Keywords:	body condition, carrion cannibalism, intraspecific predation, maternal predation, ophiophagy, predatory cannibalism
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	03 Jul 2020 10:50 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528064

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