Which prey item is juvenile *C. oreganus* disproportionately likely to consume?
Answer
Lizards
Juvenile Western Rattlesnakes exhibit a distinct pattern of prey consumption known as ontogenetic dietary change, meaning their diet shifts as they grow. Because young snakes are not yet large enough or skilled enough to consistently subdue powerful adult rodents, their initial feeding efforts focus on smaller, less threatening ectotherms. Lizards are specifically noted as having a higher propensity for consumption by these younger individuals. In habitats where lizards are abundant, they serve as a crucial bridging food source, allowing the juvenile snake to sustain itself until it reaches a size capable of effectively hunting more energetically rewarding prey like mice and voles.
Related Questions
What prey forms the foundation of the adult Western Rattlesnake's diet across most distribution?Which prey item is juvenile *C. oreganus* disproportionately likely to consume?What primary method does the Western Rattlesnake use to secure prey?After striking prey, what cues does the Western Rattlesnake use to track the animal?What significant ecological service does the Western Rattlesnake provide by consuming small mammals?Which prey item heavily features in drier, inland California diets versus cooler British Columbia diets?What physical state follows the consumption of a substantial meal for *Crotalus oreganus*?Why are juvenile Western Rattlesnakes initially concentrated on smaller ectotherms?Which groups of prey are generally considered opportunistic rather than a dietary cornerstone for *Crotalus oreganus*?What consequence is noted when *Crotalus oreganus* populations are removed from a local area?