Comparative analysis of the feeding habits of two species of Arizona blind snakes, Leptotyphlops h. humilis and Leptotyphlops d. dulcis
Citation
Fred Punzo, Comparative analysis of the feeding habits of two species of Arizona blind snakes, Leptotyphlops h. humilis and Leptotyphlops d. dulcis: .
Summary
Stomach content analyses of 28 Leptotyphlops humilis humilis and 17 L. dulcis dulcis indicate that these snakes feed extensively on ants and termites which compromise 54-64 per cent of the total diet. L. d. dulcis appears to be more fossorial in its feeding activity than L. h. humilis which preys on a greater percentage of surface-dwelling arthropods. Presumably, this serves to reduce competition for the available food supply in geographical areas of sympatry. Both species show a definite preference for soft-bodied prey-types. In addition, several insect species which live as commensals in ant and termite nests are readily consumed along with their hosts. Published in Journal of Herpetology, volume 8, issue 2, on pages 153 - 156, in [...]
Summary
Stomach content analyses of 28 Leptotyphlops humilis humilis and 17 L. dulcis dulcis indicate that these snakes feed extensively on ants and termites which compromise 54-64 per cent of the total diet. L. d. dulcis appears to be more fossorial in its feeding activity than L. h. humilis which preys on a greater percentage of surface-dwelling arthropods. Presumably, this serves to reduce competition for the available food supply in geographical areas of sympatry. Both species show a definite preference for soft-bodied prey-types. In addition, several insect species which live as commensals in ant and termite nests are readily consumed along with their hosts.
Published in Journal of Herpetology, volume 8, issue 2, on pages 153 - 156, in 1974.
