Differential Predation on Metamorphic Anurans by Garter Snakes (Thamnophis): Social Behavior as a Possible Defense

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Abstract
The diets of garter snakes (Thamnophis) collected at several localities were examined and the developmental stage of anurans in the diets were recorded. During periods of anuran metamorphosis, garter snakes converge on the shoreline and their diets are biased towards transforming stages. This bias appears to reflect the locomotor ineptitude of metamophosing anurans;a transforming anurans can neither swim nor hop as effectively as premetamorphic tadpoles or postmetamorphic frogs, respectively. Metamorphic synchrony in certain anurans (e.g., Bufo) may have evolved as a defense against predation during metamorphosis. This synchrony could satiate predators. Certain anurans (e.g., Bufo, Scaphiophus) form postmetamorphic aggregations which may represent `selfish herds' in which individuals gain protection by association with more vulnerable conspecifics.

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