Living in the dark side? Plastic activity in the Bothrops jararaca group (Serpentes, Viperidae)

What is it about?

Activity of snakes is affected by several environmental and ecological factors, in spite of the light-dark cycles representing the most important of them. Our study shows that three correlate species of the Bothrops jararaca group, namely B. alcatraz, B. jararaca, and B. insularis monitored in captivity are intrinsically nocturnal. However, in the wild, it is noticeable that B. insularis hunts during the day, and is more active in the dry season, possibly due to the combination of feeding and reproductive events. We also found that seasonal fluctuations of temperature may shape the daily activity of B. jararaca, with activity extending throughout the day in colder temperatures. In summary, we demonstrate that activity may be plastic in these species, being influenced by other biotic and abiotic variables, apart from the light-dark cycle.

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