Tail twitching???

[dvs]

anyone know why redtails do this???

[Invictus]

My boa has never done that. It may be a nervous response. I know corns do that sometimes to try and convince predators that they are a rattler. It may be the same with BCI, but I've never really heard of that being a common response to stress in boas...

[hip]

Awesome question!

I have observed this reaction in Suriname’s as well as a couple of Colombians in the past. I have discussed this very same question with other herpers I know and we kind of came to a general agreement (not proved by any scientific means)


Many different types of snake’s world wide use this "technique" to simulate a worm or other type of invertebrate to lure various lizards into strike range. (Caudal luring) This is well documented in the Taylor's Cantil of Central/South America.This small pit viper is known to take lizards as a high portion of it's diet in the wild.In most of the areas Boa's live there are lizard species and it is well known that neonate boa's take lizards as prey often in the wild. This is an advantage to survival for certain (broadens the spectrum of prey items) Boas do eat a wide range of prey (rodents birds and lizards) and due to the fact that some of these species of lizards are prolific breeders, caudal luring increases the chances for a Boa to grow faster (reducing the amount of predators it has) and be able to reach breeding status faster to continue the population. In some respects they are just trying to make a living (sounds like most of us eh?) Boas never seem to stop amazing me in one way or another. They are for sure cool critters, don’t you think?





Hip

[Linds]

Is it a twitch or a wagging/wiggling/luring action? Luring is common, and wagging can also be seen (usually in agro snakes), but twitching is not normal.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Caudal luring. Lots of boas do it. It can be quite rapid too. Not rattlesnake/colubrid rapid, but fast nonetheless. I see it mostly in Bci. Its kinda neat!

[Piers]

My Dumerils do it to, its a food response, at lest with them.

[dvs]

that makes allot of sence..... thanks

[Maggs]

My BCO does it all the time, kinda neat to watch, as long as its not when ur stickin ur hand in there!