Prairie rattlesnake pheromones

Graves B.M. and Duvall D. (1988). Evidence of an alarm pheromone from the cloacal secs of prairie rattlesnakes. Southwest Nat 33, 339-346. 

It was originally reported that pheromone trails might guide rattlesnakes to their dens in the fall (Klauber, 1972). However, it now appears that only juveniles and yearlings use trails and that adults may rely on other orientation mechanisms. Brown and MacLean (1983) documented juvenile timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) following adult pheromone trails in the fall (Table 3), but King et al. (1983) found that adult prairie rattlesnakes ( viridis, would not trail conspecifics. Adult Crotalus apparently find dens by celestial cues (Landreth, 1973, Duvall et al., 1985) and... 

Squamate epidermis is complex structurally (Maderson, 1965 Maderson et al., 1972) and functionally (Maderson, 1984). Therefore, histological examinations of prairie rattlesnake skin are needed to relate how lipid chemosignals are used to their distribution and arrangement in the integument. Further, microscopic observation may reveal relationships of lipids that act as pheromones and those that control CWL. That rattlesnake skin lipids have pheromonal properties is only half the story how these substances and the skin that produces and contains them have been shaped for this role is important, and may also reveal patterns of adaptation. 

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