Feeding behaviour of the Madagascar leaf‐nosed snake, Langaha madagascariensis (Serpentes: Colubridae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae), with an alternative hypothesis for its bizarre head structure

摘要: Abstract Feeding behaviour of the Madagascar leaf‐nosed snake (Langaha madagascariensis) is described and an alternative use for its unusual nasal appendage hypothesized. Langaha madagascariensis employs a sit‐and‐wait foraging strategy stalking prey initiated once conscious potential prey. Stalking preceded by hooding, swaying anterior portion body laterally, tongue flicking, advancing toward Strikes are typically made at extremely close distance, sometimes while places extension directly onto back prey's head. Prey was always grasped to pectoral girdle behind head or neck region. Once seized, it may be coiled around usually pulled off perch left dangle in mid‐air, being worked into mouth snake's rear fangs. also exhibits hooding These behaviours along with cryptic colour patterns, migh...