Comportamento reprodutivo de Bothrops leucurus (Serpentes, Viperidae) em cativeiro

Abstract

Studies on the reproduction in species of the genus Bothrops have shown that some characteristics such as seasonal and biennial cycle, copulations during autumn and winter and births between summer and fall periods, are common, however the reproductive behavior of this genus has not been evaluated in scientific literature, making it difficult to compare mating behaviors. In this Project, the species chosen for the study was Bothrops leucurus, also known as ‘’Whitetail lancehead’’, an animal classified into the Atrox complex, has a wide distribution in the coast of Brazil, from the State of Maranhão until Espírito Santo and can be found in humid and sub-humid environments. Seven mating attempts were performed in the period from June to August, resulting in three successfully mating in July. In four times the males showed some specific behaviors as the ‘’head rise’’ that occurs when the snakes intertwined their bodies and raise their heads in an attempt to a knock down each other to establish a hierarchy. This behavior is called ‘’male combat’’. Only once this ritual happened without the presence of the female. As soon as the female was placed in the arena, one or two males moved towards to it with intense tongue flicking. The approach was made by the posterior region of the female, starting the ‘’mounting’’ behavior, where the male performs ripples on the back of the female toward cephalic region. In addition, was also observed the male’s head sliding on the female’s body, known as ‘’chin rub’’. For the introduction of the hemipenis, the male showed the ‘’tail whip’’ behavior, swinging his tail quickly against the female’s tail who showed to be receptive adopting the ‘’tail raise’’ by approaching the male.