Abstract

VALLE, Anderson Luis do  and  LEAO-VAZ, Letícia de Almeida. The defensive reaction of rheas (Rhea americana) to a Rattlesnake Signal. Rev. etol. [online]. 2005, vol.7, n.1, pp. 49-50. ISSN 1517-2805.

Behavioral categories (avoidance, indifference, curiosity and no reaction) of five captive rheas (Rhea americana) - at the Sabiá's Zoo in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil - were recorded during the playback of the sound of a rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus collineatus) and during the playing of countrol sounds. Rheas displayed significantly more avoidant responses to the rattlesnake sound than to the control ones. Results suggest that rheas can identify rattles as danger signals and that this recognition may be unlearned.

Keywords : Defensive behavior; Rattlesnakes; Rheas; Rhea americana.

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