How do optimal environmental temperatures affect the strike speed and venom yield of Crotalus atrox?
Answer
Warmer, optimal temperatures lead to faster strikes and greater venom yield.
The physiological state of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is directly linked to ambient temperature, which influences its predatory success. When environmental temperatures are optimally warm—though not excessively hot—the snake's physiological processes are maximized. This results in observable improvements in hunting effectiveness, specifically leading to faster strike speeds and a greater overall yield of venom delivered during an effective predation event. This efficiency ensures that prey availability aligns with the snake's peak predatory capability.
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