First observation on courtship behavior of short-tailed viper snake, Gloydius saxatilis (Squamata: Viperidae) in Korea

Abstract

Most reptile species have their own mating patterns. Therefore, courtship behaviors are important factors in understanding taxonomic features and species-specific breeding habits in the genus. This study explores the mating behaviors of the short-tailed viper snake (Gloydius saxatilis) which has never been reported. From September 2012 to August 2013, we observed the courtship behaviors of short-tailed viper snakes in Chunma Mountain County Park, Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. In this study, 10 courtship behaviors from three snake couples were considered and compared. The results showed that, in general, most courtship behaviors of G. saxatilis were similar to those of other species of the family Viperidae. However, the most remarkable behavior of female short-tailed viper snakes was “quivering,” which had not yet been reported in females from the other species of the family Viperidae. These results can provide valuable information for research in systematics of short-tailed viper snakes. Keywords: behavior ecology, first report, Gloydius saxatilis, mating behavior, Viperidae