Lip Curling of the Red-Bellied Snake

Lip‐curling in redbelly snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata): functional morphology and ecological significance

“…The display culminates with an outward protraction and rotation of the maxillary bone (Fig. These observations agreed with previous descriptions of the lip-curling display of redbelly snakes (Gosner, 1942;Axtell, 1947). The outward protraction makes the posterior teeth of the maxillary bone protrude outside the snake's mouth in a spur-like fashion (Fig.…”

“…Venomous snakes can also deliver toxins while performing some agonistic behaviours such as biting or gaping. Redbelly snakes curl their supralabial scales when roughly handled, and expose their teeth and the inside of their lips (Gosner, 1942), while protruding the maxillae (Axtell, 1947). Storeria occipitomaculata is a small, secretive thamnophiine snake (Brodie & Ducey, 1989;Conant & Collins, 1991;do Amaral, 1995) with an elaborate agonistic behavioural display.…”

“…Storeria occipitomaculata is a small, secretive thamnophiine snake (Brodie & Ducey, 1989;Conant & Collins, 1991;do Amaral, 1995) with an elaborate agonistic behavioural display. These behaviours are usually followed by or accompanied by musk release and smear, intermittent lateral writhing of the tail, and jerking of the anterior part of the body (Gosner, 1942;Axtell, 1947;Jordan, 1970). While the snake curls its lips, it alternately presses the sides of its head against its captor, thus momentarily causing the teeth to catch on the skin, producing a very slight pricking, which can hardly be detected as applied to human skin' (Axtell, 1947).…”

Lip-curling in redbelly snakes (Storeria occipitomaculata): functional morphology and ecological significance

“…Storeria occipitomaculata is a small, secretive thamnophiine snake (Brodie & Ducey, 1989;Conant & Collins, 1991;do Amaral, 1995) with an elaborate agonistic behavioural display. Redbelly snakes curl their supralabial scales when roughly handled, and expose their teeth and the inside of their lips (Gosner, 1942), while protruding the maxillae (Axtell, 1947). While the snake curls its lips, it alternately presses the sides of its head against its captor, thus momentarily causing the teeth to catch on the skin, producing a very slight pricking, which can hardly be detected as applied to human skin' (Axtell, 1947).…”

“…While the snake curls its lips, it alternately presses the sides of its head against its captor, thus momentarily causing the teeth to catch on the skin, producing a very slight pricking, which can hardly be detected as applied to human skin' (Axtell, 1947). These behaviours are usually followed by or accompanied by musk release and smear, intermittent lateral writhing of the tail, and jerking of the anterior part of the body (Gosner, 1942;Axtell, 1947;Jordan, 1970). Sometimes mouth gape and tongue protrusions can occur (Jordan, 1970).…”