Cloacal Popping in Snakes
Young BA, Meltzer K, Marsit C, Abishahin G. 1999. Cloacal Popping in Snakes. Journal of Herpetology. 33(4):557-566
Tactile stimulation to the Sonoran coral snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) and the western hook-nosed snake (Gyalopion canum) induce an expulsion of air form the cloacal vent which results in an audible popping sound. The cloacal pops produced by M. euryxanthus are rather consistent and show a low amplitude (50-53.5 dB), limited frequency range (442-5523 HZ), distinct temporal patterning, and harmonics. The cloacal pop released by G. canum are more variable; the initial pops are of high amplituds (70-73 dB) and broad frequency (359-15,178 Hz), but in subsequent pops the amplitude falls off and the frequency range narrows; no temporal patterning or harmonics were observed. Cloacal popping is driven primarily by the M. Sphincter cloacae but may involve other intrensic cloacal musculature. The presence of this unusual defensive sound in only these two sympatric snakes suggests a common predator.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Young, Bruce; Meltzer, Karen; Marsit, Carmen; Abishahin, George
- Units
- ARD
- Keywords
- Bioacoustics, Gyalopion canum, harmonics, Micruroides euryxanthus, Reptiles, Snakes, SOUNDBIB, temporal patterning