completely agree here.......and...

Posted by James Van Dyke on April 25, 2002 at 19:04:13:

In Reply to: Re: evolution of the rattle posted by Greg Knoell on April 25, 2002 at 18:37:10:

I was wondering what a rattle would resemble as well, especially to a primarily herbivorous (though occaisonally carnivorous) mouse!

Using the tail as a target could explain why rattles break off. The problem I see with that is that you'd think when a predator bites the tail that the rattler would probably bite the predator back, which (in most cases) would seriously harm or kill the predator. Given how many mammal and bird predators seem to learn things like this (over many generations), wouldn't they avoid the tail and just go for the head as the best possible way to kill the rattler quicker (except for the inexperienced, or just plain dumb individuals).

Either way, its still primarily a defense mechanism and until I won't believe the caudal luring idea until I see it published somewhere in the form of hard data.

Follow Ups:

• Unfortunately, almost none of this has... Kenny Wray 04/26/02 (1)
  • Klauberi tail coloration and caudal luring - Mike M. 05/02/02 (0)
• Unfortunately, almost none of this has... Kenny Wray 04/26/02 (0)

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: I was wondering what a rattle would resemble as well, especially to a primarily herbivorous (though occaisonally carnivorous) mouse! : Using the tail as a target could explain why rattles break off. The problem I see with that is that you'd think when a predator bites the tail that the rattler would probably bite the predator back, which (in most cases) would seriously harm or kill the predator. Given how many mammal and bird predators seem to learn things like this (over many generations), wouldn't they avoid the tail and just go for the head as the best possible way to kill the rattler quicker (except for the inexperienced, or just plain dumb individuals). : Either way, its still primarily a defense mechanism and until I won't believe the caudal luring idea until I see it published somewhere in the form of hard data.

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