Species that use snake skins on their nests have lower levels of predation, even coming from other birds.
Some Birds use snake skin in the nests to ward off predators. This is what a new study of Cornell University says. It is a way of chasing even other birds, for example, as they are the main prey of snakes.
For the study, the authors combined new and historical data to show that birds that set up the nests covered with small openings – are more likely to use lost snake skins in its construction of what birds that build open nests. Basically, the idea is to prevent predators from eating eggs.
“An evolutionary history of harmful interactions between small body predators that are often eaten by snakes should make these predators Be afraid of snake skin inside a nest. This can change the decision on whether or not they will enter a nest, ”says the team, in a statement released by Cornell herself. The study was at The American Naturalist.
Snake skin in nests
Researchers wanted to understand whether snake skin could reduce the “interest” of predators or change microbial communities in birds benefit.
The investigators put two quail eggs Within 60 makeshift nests in boxes and 80 inactive nests to simulate nests covered with small open openings and nests. Some of them received snake skins; Others don’t.
Every three days, for two weeks, the investigators climbed to the nests and checked the eggs. The result: Small mammals and bird nest predators visited open nests, while only small mammals visited the ninho boxes (representing the covered nests).
“The snake skin reduced nest predation In cavity nests, but not in open nests. This highlights different ecological conditions and probably explains why, among species, birds that nest in cavities show this behavior more frequently than birds that nest in open glass, ”concludes the article.
