First record of thanatosis in the Mesoamerican snake Crisantophis nevermanni Dunn, 1937 (Serpentes: Dipsadinae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18636/bioneotropical.v7i3.638Keywords:
Antipredator strategy, Central America, Death-feigning, Defensive behavior, Tonic immobilization, NecromimicAbstract
Thanatosis is a behavioral adaptation where certain prey species deceive predators by feigning death. Objective: Document two cases of thanatosis that occurred in the Central American snake, Crisantophis nevermanni from Paci c coast of Honduras. Methods: We kept the snakes in a terrarium and documented their behavior. We observed and photographed two instances of thanatosis. Results: Sample 1 shows a display of very frequent tanatosis. The thanatosis displays included: open mouth, immobility, partial cloacal prolapse, defecation, and twisting the front of the body. Conclusion: This is the rst case of thanatosis documented for this species and for any Central American snake.