What behavior utilizes the white tail tip found on young *Bothrops jararaca*?
Answer
Caudal luring.
The juveniles of *Bothrops jararaca* possess a distinctive physical characteristic in that the very tip of their tail is white. This pale tail tip is not merely a pigment variation; it is actively employed as a tool for predation. The snake uses this contrasting feature to attract small prey items by moving the tail tip, mimicking the appearance or movement of an insect larva. This specialized predatory technique is specifically identified as caudal luring, demonstrating a complex behavioral adaptation present in the young of this particular species.
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