Natural History of Cottonmouth Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscovorus (Reptilia). Ray D. Burkett

      Published by Good Press, 2021

       [email protected]

      EAN 4064066206055

Table of Contents

       INTRODUCTION

       ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

       SYSTEMATIC RELATIONSHIPS AND DISTRIBUTION

       DESCRIPTION

       Color and Pattern

       Scutellation

       Dentition

       HABITAT AND LIMITING FACTORS

       REPRODUCTION

       Courtship and Mating

       Reproductive Cycles

       Embryonic Development

       Birth of Young

       Number of Young per Litter

       Population Composition

       Reproductive Potential

       GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

       Size at Birth and Early Growth

       The Umbilical Scar

       Later Growth and Bodily Proportions

       SHEDDING

       The Shedding Operation

       Frequency of Shedding

       FOOD HABITS

       Methods of Obtaining Prey

       Food and Food Preferences

       MORTALITY FACTORS

       Natural Enemies and Predators

       Parasites and Diseases

       Miscellaneous Causes of Death

       BEHAVIOR

       Annual and Diel Cycles of Activity

       Basking

       Coiling

       Locomotion

       Disposition

       Defense and Escape

       "Head Bobbing"

       Combat Dance

       THE VENOM

       Properties of the Venom

       Venom Yield and Toxicity

       Susceptibility of Snakes

       THE BITE

       Effects of the Bite

       Treatment

       Case History of a Bite

       Snakebite in the United States

       SUMMARY

       LITERATURE CITED

       UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

INTRODUCTION

       Table of Contents

      Objectives of the study here reported on were to: (1) learn as much as possible concerning the natural history and economic importance of the cottonmouth; (2) determine what factors limit