Incline and peg spacing have interactive effects on the arboreal locomotor performance and kinematics of brown tree snakes, Boiga irregularis.

Why arboreal snakes should not be cylindrical: body shape, incline and surface roughness have interactive effects on locomotion.

Depending on animal size, shape, body plan and behaviour, variation in surface structure can affect the speed and ease of locomotion. The slope of branches and the roughness of bark both vary considerably, but their combined effects on the locomotion of arboreal animals are poorly understood. We used artificial branches with five inclines and five peg heights (≤40 mm) to test for interactive ef...

The effects of three-dimensional gap orientation on bridging performance and behavior of brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis).

Traversing gaps with different orientations within arboreal environments has ecological relevance and mechanical consequences for animals. For example, the orientation of the animal while crossing gaps determines whether the torques acting on the body tend to cause it to pitch or roll from the supporting perch or fail as a result of localized bending. The elongate bodies of snakes seem well sui...

Scaling of the axial morphology and gap-bridging ability of the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis.

Networks of branches in arboreal environments create many functional challenges for animals, including traversing gaps between perches. Many snakes are arboreal and their elongate bodies are theoretically well suited for bridging gaps. However, only two studies have previously investigated gap bridging in snakes, and the effects of size are poorly understood. Thus, we videotaped and quantified ...

Effects of perch diameter and incline on the kinematics, performance and modes of arboreal locomotion of corn snakes (Elaphe guttata).

Animals moving through arboreal habitats face several functional challenges, including fitting onto and moving on cylindrical branches with variable diameters and inclines. In contrast to lizards and primates, the arboreal locomotion of snakes is poorly understood, despite numerous snake species being arboreal. We quantified the kinematics and performance of corn snakes (Elaphe guttata) moving ...

Ontogenetic Shifts in Canion Attractiveness to Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga irregularis)