Cannibalism Among Rattlesnakes Helps Females To Recover After Birth
Sunday, February 22, 2009 - 01:28
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have produced the first quantitative description of cannibalism among female rattlesnakes (Crotalus polystictus) after monitoring 190 reptiles. The study has shown that these animals ingest on average 11% of their postpartum mass (in particular eggs and dead offspring) in order to recover energy for subsequent reproduction.