Behavioral Thermoregulation in Australian Elapid Snakes

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Behavioral thermoregulation in laboratory thermal gradients was studied in 7 spp. of Australian snakes of the Elapidae: Acanthophis antarcticus, Austrelaps superbus, Notechis scutatus, Pseudechis porphyriacus, Pseudonaja nuchalis, P. textilis and Unechis flagellum. All species exhibited well-developed thermoregulatory behavior and controlled body tempertures with precision comparable to that reported for various heliothermic lizards. Temperature regulation is accomplished by shuttling and by adjustments in snake position or orientation while basking. Thermal preferences of the various species range roughly between 30-35.degree. C and are similar to those of other terrestrial, temperate zone snakes in which thermal preferences have been assessed. Thermal preferences of adult snakes appear to be higher than those of newborn or juveniles (in 4 spp.) and may vary with levels of critical thermal minima (in 5 spp.) and geographic distribution.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: