Many snakes employ tail movements to attract prey, but this behavior is rare in lizards. Use of caudal movements to distract prey, however, is rare in all squamates. Recently, caudal movements in a Sceloporus occidentalis individual immediately prior to attempted prey capture were documented. We supplement this sole documentation of caudal movements in S. occidentalis with additional field observations. Additionally, video footage of the behavior was recorded on 2 occasions. From these additional observations, we hypothesize that this behavior might serve to distract prey.
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1 June 2008
Caudal Movements in Western Fence Lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) Prior to Attempted Prey Capture
C. Drew Foster,
Patrick Martin
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Western North American Naturalist
Vol. 68 • No. 2
June 2008
Vol. 68 • No. 2
June 2008
caudal distraction
caudal luring
Sceloporus occidentalis
western fence lizard