Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes
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University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK
2009
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-ucin12505240052021-08-03T06:13:37Z Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes Hamilton, Rachel A. Biology Zoology affordance arboreal habitat structure locomotion Pantherophis snake route choice vision Many animals in complex environments use vision to guide their movements towards goals while avoiding obstacles. They must determine whether or not locomotion on a structure or surface is possible and evaluate the many structural attributes of environments that affect the speed and ease of locomotion. Although many snakes are arboreal, no previous study has determined whether or not they can perceive structural variation that is mechanically relevant to locomotion in arboreal habitats. We tested whether or not the gap distance, location and attributes of two destination perches on the far side of a crossable gap affected the route travelled by rat snakes, which are proficient climbers. Snakes usually chose routes with shorter gaps, but the strength of this preference decreased when the disparity between the gap distances of route choices decreased. For perches within a horizontal plane, the snakes usually (91% of the time) went straight rather than crossing an equal distance gap with a 90° turn. This preference was consistent with our finding that crossing a gap with a 90° turn was more difficult than going straight. Decreasing the distance of the gap with a 90° turn eliminated the preference for going straight. Additional factors, such as the complexity of branching of the destination perches, resulted in non-random route choice. Many of the biases in route choice indicate an ability to perceive structural variation and select routes that optimize the mechanical benefits for locomotor performance. However, some route choices may have resulted from destinations that were visually more conspicuous without obvious mechanical benefits. 2009-11-09 English text University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1250524005 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1250524005 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
| collection |
NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Biology Zoology affordance arboreal habitat structure locomotion Pantherophis snake route choice vision |
| spellingShingle |
Biology Zoology affordance arboreal habitat structure locomotion Pantherophis snake route choice vision Hamilton, Rachel A. Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| author |
Hamilton, Rachel A. |
| author_facet |
Hamilton, Rachel A. |
| author_sort |
Hamilton, Rachel A. |
| title |
Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| title_short |
Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| title_full |
Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| title_fullStr |
Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| title_sort |
arboreal habitat structure affects route choice by rat snakes |
| publisher |
University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2009 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1250524005 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT hamiltonrachela arborealhabitatstructureaffectsroutechoicebyratsnakes |
| _version_ |
1719433041790631936 |