WCS 3-Sentence Science

When Snakes Cannibalize

January 9, 2020

CREDIT: SEAN DE LA HARPE‐PARKER

Each year, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists publish more than 300 peer-reviewed studies and papers. “WCS 3-Sentence Science” is a regular tip-sheet — in bite sized helpings — of some of this published work.

Here we present work by WCS’s Acácio Hélio Domingo Chechene on cannibalism in African snakes.

1. Scientists have recorded the first-known case of cannibalism in African vine snakes, (Thelotornis spp.) — a group of venomous snakes which inhabit savannah and forested regions across sub-Saharan Africa.
2. Instances of cannibalism are rarely recorded in African snakes.
3. Few detailed diet studies on these genera exist, which can lead to an underrepresentation of rare, but important, predation events, and further investigation into the cannibalistic tendencies is warranted.

Study and Journal: “Ophiophagy and cannibalism in African vine snakes “ from African Journal of Ecology
WCS Co-Author(s): Acácio Hélio Domingo Chechene, WCS Mozambique Program

For more information, contact: Stephen Sautner, 718–220–3682, ssautner@wcs.org.