Birds that use snakeskin to line their nests are safer from predators. Interestingly, the skin that once belonged to their arch nemesis can actually provide protection for their eggs because the snakeskin scent can scare off other predators, like squirrels and small mammals.
These findings are from a recent study published in The American Naturalist, conducted by experts who were curious about why snakeskins were often be found in bird nests. Over a 14-day period, researchers found that 75% of nest boxes that contained snakeskin were left alone, while that number dropped for nests that did not have snakeskin, amounting to 38% of nest boxes visited by predators.
“The scaly leavings serve as predator repellent for cavity-nesting birds, scaring their enemies away and ensuring more of the eggs survive,” writes Audubon Society.
Click here to see the full study.
NATIONAL PARK NEWS
