It is very likely that she is actually nosing the litter looking for the slugs to eat them. This is widely documented in sand boas and also known for Boa constrictor. I have a couple friends that have witnessed Mom very carefully checking out her litter, finding the slugs and consuming them. This might even be considered a form of parental care since rotting flesh such as these slugs may attract predators. Or it could be a means for the female to recoup some of her expended energy by consuming these little fat balls. In the end, it is still a nice pic.


>>I wonder what they realize about what just happened and what she's processing as she investigates those babies. I know it's very little compared to "higher" life forms, but when they become aggressive and protective, is it just hardwired instinct that triggers it, or a mental awareness on some level? I guess we'll never know. A picture like that still makes me think...awe, how sweet. Silly human that I am - I can't help it.
>>-----
>>Linda Hedgpeth
>>lindafh@frontiernet.net
>>Sierra Serpents
>>
>>"There is just as much horse sense as ever, but the horses have most of it".
-----
Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

[ Hide Replies ]

• Occidentallis baby slime pics...... - Chris Olson, Sun Jun 5 20:04:18 2005
• That bottom pic is so sweet - Mom checking out her babies....> - LindaH, Sun Jun 5 20:39:12 2005
• RE: That bottom pic is so sweet - Mom checking out her babies....> - Rick Staub, Tue Jun 7 01:12:21 2005
• RE: That bottom pic is so sweet - Mom checking out her babies....> - Chris Olson, Tue Jun 7 19:22:27 2005
• I agree with Linda, I like the bottom pic. Congrats on the babies.....np. - cnb2, Sun Jun 5 20:58:41 2005
• OUTSTANDING!!! n/p - Jeff Clark, Mon Jun 6 00:36:11 2005
• Congrats...Great Pix!!! n/p - Boa Aficionado, Mon Jun 6 05:10:58 2005
• That's one NICE pic. I tried to get some pics like that... - tcdrover, Mon Jun 6 11:12:54 2005
• RE: That's one NICE pic. I tried to get some pics like that... - Chris Olson, Mon Jun 6 12:06:25 2005
• Thanks everyone! np - Chris Olson, Mon Jun 6 12:07:16 2005
• Congrats Chris, - Sunshine, Mon Jun 6 19:47:37 2005