Behaviour of Dipsina

[TonSteehouder]

Is there anyone who ever observed Dipsina rub? I mean the typical behaviour of psammophiini: they press their nose on the underside of the neck and start rubbing the ventral scales from neck to tail, applying a nasal secretion to the belly. I am very interested in learning about the precise way this species rubs.There are basically two 'systems' : one in which the snake rubs one side all along and then switches to the other side, and another in which both sides are rubbed in one series of switching movements. Which one is used by Dipsina?
If you ever saw any other psammophiid rub I am interested in hearing about them too.
For video's of rubbing psammophiids see http://www.psammophis.net

[Ruan Stander]

I have observed this about three times in Psammophis brevirostris, in the switching method. I always wondered what it was. I would appreciate it if you could tell us more about this ?

What exactly does the secretion consist of and what is the purpose of rubbing it on the scales ?

[jka]

I have seen it in Rufous beaked snakes, Rhamphiophis.
Dipsina multimaculatus are such amazing looking snakes.

[TonSteehouder]

I have observed this about three times in Psammophis brevirostris, in the switching method. I always wondered what it was. I would appreciate it if you could tell us more about this ?

What exactly does the secretion consist of and what is the purpose of rubbing it on the scales ?

The rubbing consists in smearing a nasal secretion, acting as a marking substance, including pheromones, in preparation of marking behaviour: the snake loses small particles while crawling, thus marking its way, but also marking a territory. It is also used to mark conspecific animals as a kind of 'property'. Please read the instructive articles that are embedded in my site at http://www.psammophis.net, especially in the page at http://users.skynet.be/fa607959/fa607959/Psammophis/Artikelen/rubbing.htm.

[Ruan Stander]

Thanks TonSteehouder, I will have look at the articles. For the meantime, is this behaviour demonstrated by both sexes ?

[TonSteehouder]

Thanks TonSteehouder, I will have look at the articles. For the meantime, is this behaviour demonstrated by both sexes ?

Yes, both sexes rub. The subject is treated extensively by De Haan 2003 (integrated in my site).

[TonSteehouder]

I have seen it in Rufous beaked snakes, Rhamphiophis.
Dipsina multimaculatus are such amazing looking snakes.

Which species exactly did you observe? I think it should be R. rostratus? And can you affirm that the rubbing was with continuous movements one-sided, and then the other side?
Do you remember if the observed snake rubbed only the ventral scales (turning and lifting the belly partially), or also (or even mainly) the lateral scales?

[Ruan Stander]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[jka]

I have seen it in Rufous beaked snakes, Rhamphiophis.
Dipsina multimaculatus are such amazing looking snakes.

Which species exactly did you observe? I think it should be R. rostratus? And can you affirm that the rubbing was with continuous movements one-sided, and then the other side?
Do you remember if the observed snake rubbed only the ventral scales (turning and lifting the belly partially), or also (or even mainly) the lateral scales?

it was a video I saw, its somewhere on this forum. i cant remember if it was two snakes a male and a female or just the one snake rubbing itself down.