Date of Graduation
Summer 2026
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Brian Greene
Abstract
The foraging strategy of vipers is typically characterized by a sequence of behaviors known as strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS). During SICS, prey are struck and envenomed, released, and trailed via a scent trail that fleeing prey leave behind. An increase in the post-strike tongue flicking rate (TFR) of vipers allows them to relocate struck prey by following their scent trails. Depending on the prey type, vipers may choose alternative prey-handling behaviors. There are no studies examining the impact of body temperature on the accuracy of SICS. I conducted an experiment in which I offered 10 northern cottonmouth snakes (Agkistrodon piscivorus) three ecologically relevant live prey types: fish (Pimephales spp.), frogs (Acris blanchardi), and mice (Mus musculus). I quantified and measured prey handling behaviors and pre- and post-strike tongue flick rates. I also conducted an experiment in which I measured the post-strike scent trailing accuracy of seven northern cottonmouth snakes after striking mice at three different ecologically relevant body temperatures. Harmless and untrailable prey types were held post-strike and consumed alive while mice tended to be released post-strike and were consumed dead. Snakes exhibited body-region specific striking and ingestion behavior among prey types. Post-strike TFRs were lower at lower body temperatures, but body temperature did not significantly impact trailing accuracy during SICS. These findings provide insight into the dynamic foraging behaviors of pit vipers and offer a greater understanding about how body temperature impacts their foraging ecology.
Keywords
Agkistrodon piscivorus, northern cottonmouth, behavior, foraging, chemosensation, pit vipers, strike-induced chemosensory searching
Subject Categories
Behavior and Ethology
Copyright
© Bryce F. Jarrett
Recommended Citation
Jarrett, Bryce F., "Variable Prey Handling Behaviors and the Effects of Body Temperature on Strike-Induced Chemosensory Searching in Northern Cottonmouth Snakes (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)" (2026). Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 4168.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/4168
