Kinematics and Time Relations of Prey Capture by Gopher Snakes

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Abstract
High speed motion pictures of gopher snakes [Pituophis melanoleucus affinis] striking at and encircling their prey permitted analysis of the snakes'' body movements and measurement of the time required for each phase of the prey capture sequence. The average strike at the prey covered a distance equivalent to 8% of te snake''s body length. Forward movement of the head during the strike was produced by straightening a series of S-shaped curves of the body. An average of 29% of the snake''s body length is active in producing the strike. The mean time interval between initiation of the strike and contact with the prey was 0.11 s. Encircling of the prey is brought about by a series of movements that are continuous with movements of the strike itself. Two basic modes of encirclement of the prey are employed, one in which coils of the body are wound around the prey and one in which a combination of coils and a loop of the body are placed around the prey. The movements of the body that occur in each mode of encirclement are illustrated and discussed. Of the body length 40% was used in encircling the prey with loops or coils (up to 2.5 coils or 1.5 coils plus a loop). When only coils were placed around the prey, the average number was 2. For 30 prey capture sequences, the mean time required for striking at and encircling the prey was 1.6 s.

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