Caudal Luring
A hunting trick where an animal wiggles its tail to look like a worm or insect, attracting prey to come close.
What is it?
Caudal luring is a type of hunting behavior. The animal, often a snake, moves the tip of its tail to look like a small worm or insect. When a frog, lizard, or bird comes to eat the "worm," the hunter strikes. The Southern Cantil uses caudal luring when it is young, because its tail tip is bright green or yellow. Other snakes, like the copperhead, also use this trick. The puff adder does not use caudal luring; it relies on camouflage and ambush.
Why it matters
Caudal luring shows how animals evolve clever ways to catch food. It is a form of mimicry and a hunting adaptation.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more exhibits about caudal luring.