Abstract

The ability to detect and follow prey chemical trails is important for actively foraging nocturnal snakes. We investigated whether a nocturnal, ophiophagous (snake-eating) predator, the Bandy-Bandy (Vermicella annulata) can detect and follow blindsnake chemical trails. Adult Bandy-Bandys were offered the choice between control trails (distilled water) and chemical trails from three sympatric squamate species. Bandy-Bandys ignored distilled water trails and the trails of the burrowing Yellow-Bellied Three-Toed Skink (Saiphos equalis) and the nocturnal Golden Crowned Snake (Cacophis squamulosus). In contrast, all of the Bandy-Bandys followed chemical trails from the Blackish Blindsnake (Ramphotyphlops nigrescens), and three snakes followed the blindsnake trails along their entire length (mean distance followed = 0.93 m, range 0.2–1.4 m). Our results suggest Bandy-Bandys use chemical cues to locate blindsnakes but do not respond to chemical trails of other sympatric squamate species.