FACTORS INFLUENCING CHEMICAL RELEASE OF PREY ATTACK IN NEWBORN SNAKES

Investigated attack behavior of 95 inexperienced garter snakes to water extracts of normally eaten prey. Since eliminating vision and olfaction in newborn snakes did not alter response to chemical cues, Jacobson's organ is considered the receptor most involved. Slight variations in age and concentration did not affect potency of an extract, but, over a wider range of concentration, the relationship between extract concentration and releasing value appeared logarithmic. Raising newborn snakes on an artificial force-fed diet for over 6 mo. did not alter the prey-attack behavior itself or the relative effectiveness of extracts from a variety of organisms. This releasing mechanism is resistant to stimulus and response deprivation. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1968 American Psychological Association.