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Laterality in coiling behaviour of snakes: another interpretation.
Harold Heatwole1, Peter King, Samuel G Levine
1North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA. Harold_heatwole@ncsu.edu
Laterality
|September 14, 2007
Summary
This study found no significant snake coiling preference in copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) or cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus). Any observed laterality in snake coiling direction is likely extremely weak and inconsistent.
Area of Science:
- Herpetology
- Animal Behavior
- Zoology
Background:
- Snake coiling direction has been investigated for potential laterality.
- Previous studies on cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) suggested directional preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direction of coiling in copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) and cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus).
- To statistically assess if there is a significant preference for coiling in a particular direction in these viperid species.
Main Methods:
- Periodically recorded coiling direction for copperheads and cottonmouths.
- Utilized statistical testing with a 5% rejection level to determine significance.
Main Results:
- Neither copperheads nor cottonmouths exhibited a significant preference for coiling direction.
- Only one out of 22 snakes showed individual preference, consistent with random coiling.
- Combined data with previous studies suggest any laterality is weak and inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence of significant laterality in coiling direction for copperheads or cottonmouths.
- Re-evaluation of previous claims indicates potential misinterpretation of random data.
- If laterality in snake coiling exists, it is not a prominent or consistent trait in these species.
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