Snake Behavior Study

SOURCE www.foxnews.com
Researchers capture video of two red-tailed coral snakes battling over a meal in Colombia, marking the first documented instance of kleptoparasitism within the Elapidae family in the wild.

Key Points

  • Researchers Henrik Bringsoe and Niels Poul Dreyer observed two red-tailed coral snakes battling for a meal
  • The snakes were caught on video struggling to take a caecilian from each other
  • This behavior is known as kleptoparasitism, where one predator steals food from another
  • The incident took place in the rainforests of Valle del Cauca in western Colombia
  • The discovery highlights the need for more behavioral studies on snakes

Pros

  • First documented instance of kleptoparasitism within the Elapidae family in the wild
  • Provides valuable insights into snake behavior in their natural habitats

Cons

  • Limited observation of this behavior in the wild