Agonistic Behavior in Rattlesnakes

The video tutorial discusses agonistic behavior, using an example of two rattlesnakes observed by scientists. The snakes engage in a non-violent encounter over food, demonstrating typical agonistic behavior where they wrestle without causing harm. The encounter ends with one snake gaining control and the other retreating, illustrating the concept of agonistic behavior without injury. The tutorial concludes with a reflection on this behavior.

What is the main topic introduced in the first section?

• The life cycle of snakes

• The habitat of small animals

• Agonistic behavior

• The diet of rattlesnakes

What did the scientists observe about the rattlesnakes?

• They were hunting together

• They were fighting over a burrow

• They were mating

• They were migrating

What was the initial reaction of the rattlesnakes when they found the same hole?

• They started biting each other

• They ignored each other

• They shared the food

• They lifted their bodies and wrestled

During the confrontation, what did neither snake attempt to do?

• Bite the other snake

• Find another hole

• Push the other snake

• Make themselves tall

What was the final outcome of the confrontation?

• One snake gained control and the other slithered away

• One snake bit the other

• Both snakes were injured

• Both snakes left the hole

What did the winning snake do after the confrontation?

• It stayed and guarded the hole

• It went down into the hole to look for food

• It left the hole

• It bit the losing snake

How did the losing snake react after the confrontation?

• It attacked the winning snake

• It slithered away

• It found another hole

• It stayed and fought again

What does the example of the rattlesnakes illustrate about agonistic behavior?

• It is a type of mating ritual

• It always involves biting

• It is a form of cooperation

• It involves physical confrontation without intent to injure

What is a key characteristic of agonistic behavior as shown in the rattlesnakes' encounter?

• Avoiding conflict

• Intent to injure

• Physical confrontation

• Sharing resources

What is the purpose of the example given in the lecture?

• To show how snakes hunt

• To describe snake migration patterns

• To explain snake mating habits

• To illustrate agonistic behavior