Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile) bite marks on a nest data logger

PeerJ

Stephanie K. Drumheller¹  Caitlin E. Hackett Farris²  Frank J. Mazzotti²  Seth C. Farris²  Jennifer H. Nestler² 

[1] Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN,United States of America;Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States of America;

关键词: Crocodylia;    Parental care;    Bite force;    Tooth mark;    Nest monitoring;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.8577

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Several data loggers deployed to monitor temperature and humidity of Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile) nests in South Florida could not be located after hatching. One badly damaged data logger was retrieved, providing insight into the possible fate of the others. Using a taphonomic approach, we identified numerous indentations, consistent with crocodylian bite marks, and inconsistent with potential mammalian or squamate bites. It seems most likely that the data logger was damaged by the nesting C. acutus rather than during attempted nest predation. Estimated bite forces for reproductive age, female C. acutus exceed the predicted material properties of the data logger’s housing, suggesting that the bites were exploratory in nature. We suggest that data loggers be removed prior to hatching or permit remote data storage.

【 授权许可】

Unknown