Effect of mouse odors on visually-induced and strike-induced chemosensory searching in prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis)

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Abstract
Prairie rattlesnakes ( Crotalus viridis, n = 6) were exposed to visual and thermal cues (VTCs) arising from live mice ( Mus musculus ) for 0, 3, 30, 60, 120, or 180 s. After VTCs were removed, a petri dish containing bedding (a source of mouse odors) or an empty petri dish was placed into snake cages. Rate of tongue flicking (RTF) increased during presentation of VTCs, and elevated RTF was sustained longer when chemical cues were available than when they were not. Significantly, RTF during and after presentation of VTCs was never as high as RTF after striking rodent prey. It is suggested that vomeronasal utilization of chemical information is partially blocked prior to striking prey, probably because the flicking tongue would be a conspicuous signal to prey. The act of striking eliminates this block.