Bulletin n°180

We report a case where two males of dark green snake (Hierophis viridiflavus) disturbed during a ritual combat split away, but shortly after, they were sighted fighting again. Disturbed for a second time, they were rapidly observed fighting for a third time. Mutual biting was not recorded in any round.
No female was sighted in the vicinity. This suggests that ritual combats may serve to defend an area to access females, possibly when males follow female’s pheromonal tracks. Furthermore, observations of captive and free-ranging Montpellier snakes (Malpolon monspessulanus) indicate that some males use their nasal secretions to mark an area (observed in both sexes) but also to keep adult females and to deter rivals. Long-lasting ritual combats are exceptional in this species, a single fierce biting clash possibly producing a winner. Overall, ritual combats and chemical signalling may represent two nonexclusive means used by males to increase their opportunities to access, court, fertilize and keep reproductive females.

Auteurs : Xavier BONNET, Cornelius DE HAAN, Gregory DESO, Jean-Marie BALLOUARD, Gopal BILLY, François BRISCHOUX