An opportunist predator hidden in the vegetation: on the predation of birds by Philodryas olfersii (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)

Authors

Fabio Teruo Mise, Departamento De Biologia, Universidade Estadual Do Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, Brazil
João Marcelo Deliberador Miranda, Departamento De Biologia, Universidade Estadual Do Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, Brazil
Danusy Lopes Santos, Departamento De Zoologia E Botânica, Laboratório De Ecologia Teórica, Universidade Estadual Paulista, São José Do Rio Preto, Brazil
Alexandre Curcino, Departamento De Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual De Roraima, Boa Vista, Brazil
Fabrício Hiroiuki Oda, Departamento De Química Biológica, Programa De Pós-graduação Em Bioprospecção Molecular, Universidade Regional Do Cariri, Crato, Brazil

Abstract

Snakes are common predators of birds. However, reported cases of snake predation on Troglodytes musculus are scarce. Here, we report a predation attempt of a Troglodytes musculus nestling by the dipsadid snake Philodryas olfersii. We also present a list with bird species recorded as prey of this snake species. We found 25 predation events of P. olfersii on adult, juvenile, and nestling birds. A total of 19 bird species from 14 families have been reported as prey of P. olfersii. Most predation events occurred on the vegetation, while some others were observed on the ground, cage, and artificial nest.

Recommended Citation

Mise, Fabio Teruo; Miranda, João Marcelo Deliberador; Santos, Danusy Lopes; Curcino, Alexandre; and Oda, Fabrício Hiroiuki (2021) "An opportunist predator hidden in the vegetation: on the predation of birds by Philodryas olfersii (Serpentes: Dipsadidae)," Neotropical Biodiversity Journal: Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://ikiam.researchcommons.org/neotropical-diversity/vol7/iss1/6