Tail Shaking
 

I've had my share of kings, corns, and other snakes due the rattlesnake impression on me with their tails but I have never seen a BP do it until tonight.
She litterally hissed, coiled back, and started the tail shaking shaking like crazy when I went to reach in.
Anyone else ever see this? Have I just been lucky over the years and never dealt with a wannabe rattler BP?

Oops.

DO not DUE. :rolleyes:

I have only seen it during breeding season when a female is exposed to a male. There have been varying ideas as to what it means, as a "Come Hither" sign, or a "Get the hell away from me, Buddy" sign, but I have seen it happen on several occasions in that respect.

Also, when a snake is about to pounce on prey, I've seen it happen as well.

Never in anger though...

I'm used to the coil back and strike or hiss and strike but I have never seen the tail shake before a strike.

I've had one that would do that at feeding time - If the prey was not in striking distance, he would fixate on it and his tail would shake side to side.

I believe the name for it is caudal luring. :)

Chris

There was no food involved. She made it very clear she did not want to be touched. She went from being coiled and calm to don't touch me as soon as my hand got too close.
First the hiss, then the s position, then the tail shake, then the launch.

That's it - I knew there was a name for it, but the mind aint what is used to be ;)

Sounds like she was happy to see you -Perhaps even more than happy to bite ya :D

This was purely defensive rather than a feeding response.

She was coiled and calm when I first opened the tub.
As soon as my hand started toward her, she started the hiss, the closer I got to her the more she displayed going into the s position, then the very quick tail shaking, and finally when I got too close for her comfort, she did the full body launch.