Responses of water snakes (Natrix r. rhombifera) and garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) to chemical cues

Abstract

In a series of simultaneous two-choice preference tests, water snakes (Natrix r. rhombifera) displayed a significant preference for a clean area of a test chamber vs an area soiled by a conspecific. No differential responsiveness was found for a clean area as compared to an area soiled by either a sympatric species of garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) or by the individual water snake Ss. A similar series of tests with individual garter snakes (Thamnophis radix) revealed significant preferences for areas soiled either by the Ss themselves or by conspecifics as compared to clean areas. No preferences were found for a clean area of the test chamber vs an area soiled by a sympatric water snake (Natrix r. r.). The possible role of chemical cues in the mediation of dispersion and social responsiveness was discussed. © 1974 Psychonomic Society, Inc.