The transvestite serpent: Why do male garter snakes court (some) other males?
Article Abstract:
Male courtship of red-side garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis, is directed at both females and other males having female-like lipids (she-males). It is shown that she-maleness is an intrinsic property of a male and not an artefact of lipid transfer from females. Application of female skin lipids on males was found to decrease courtship levels of recipient snakes dramatically, suggesting that recently emerged males may benefit from mimicking female skin lipids.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2000
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Pick on someone your own size: ontogenetic shifts in mate choice by male garter snakes result in size-assortive mating
Article Abstract:
Research describing the mating strategies of male red sided garter snakes is presented. It is shown that males of all sizes preferred large females but that size assortive mating is the general outcome.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2001
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Confusion within 'mating balls' of garter snakes: does misdirected courtship impose selection on male tactics?
Article Abstract:
The communal den of garter snakes in Manitoba is selected to study whether courting males make mistakes in selecting females. Results of the study suggest that the degree to which a male garter snake resembles females has little or no significance for his mating success within a communal mating ball.
Publication Name: Animal Behaviour
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0003-3472
Year: 2003
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