Garter snake courtship behavior

Kubie J.L., Vagvolgyi A. and Halpem M. (1978). Roles of the vomeronasal and olfactory systems in courtship behavior of male Garter snakes. J Comp Physiol Psychol 92, 627-641. 

Fig. 21.1 Proportion (mean SD) of male red-sided garter snakes displaying courtship behavior to small females and newly-emerged males...

Camazine, B., Garstka, W. R., Tokarz, R. R., and Crews, D., 1980, Effects of castration and androgen replacement on male courtship behavior in the red-sided garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis),... 

Crews, D., 1976, Hormonal control of male courtship behavior and female attractivity in the garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis), Horm. Behav., 7 451. 

Garstka, W. R., 1984, Hormonal independence of courtship behavior in the male garter snake, Horm. Behav., 18 29. 

Crews 1977). In addition, a pheromone associated with the copulatory plug in the plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) renders captive males sexually refractory for periods of 24-72 h after exposure (Ross Crews 1978). Thus, there appear to be pheromones in the copulatory plug that not only render mated females temporarily unattractive, but also cause sexually active males to become sexually quiescent, ceasing courtship behavior after exposure to this pheromone. Similar studies in the Swedish viper (Vipera berus) did not yield any behaviors similar to those exhibited by garter snakes (Nilson Andren 1982). 

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