Snake harassment in the Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris): variation in anti-predator behaviours, predator discrimination and venom resistance in a facultative cooperative breeder.
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Date
2012-06
Authors
Phillips, Molly A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Toxicon
Abstract
Predator harassment is an anti-predator behaviour that may increase a harasser’s risk of predation but decrease the potential for predation for other members of a group. The Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) is a facultative cooperative breeder from southern Africa that harasses venomous snakes. The objective of my study was to examine predator harassment to determine: 1) whether predator harassment was part of alloparental care by comparing harassment behaviour among age and sex classes; 2) how individuals adjusted their behaviour against different snake species; 3) whether olfaction was used in discrimination of snakes; and 4) if individuals possessed venom resistance against venomous snakes. I found that females with juvenile offspring harass snakes longer and more intensely than other individuals, suggesting that predator harassment was a maternal behaviour. Squirrels increased harassment, inspection and vigilant behaviours with risk when exposed to both live snakes and snake odours suggesting they can use olfaction to discriminate snake predators. I also found no venom resistance in Cape ground squirrels concluding the cost of envenomation was significant.
Description
Keywords
anti-predator, animal behaviour, predator harassment, mobbing, predator discrimination, venom resistance, Cape ground squirrel, South Africa
Citation
Phillips, M.A., Waterman, J.M., Du Plessis, P., Smit, M. & Bennett, N.C. 2012. No evidence for proteolytic venom resistance in southern African ground squirrels. Toxicon, 60: 760-763.