Getting in between a female salamander and her eggs is almost just as bad as getting between a bear and her cubs. In the article "Its Not the Size of the Salamander, Its the Size of the Fight in the Salamander" scientist have studied the behavior of the Eastern Red-Backed Salamander, a very small amphibian that lives in North America in damp and wet areas, to be very protective of its babies. Researchers say that its protective behavior increases the closer it gets for the eggs to hatch. At this stage the Red-Backed Salamander is more protective of its eggs rather than its territories or even its own food. At first the natural reaction for the Salamander after just having her babies are to curl up beside her eggs, but as the days go on the first reaction becomes more aggressive. The Salamander will snap, chase, or even bite its intruder repeatedly until there were no more signs of it being a threat. The number of eggs in her nest didn't make a difference towards the aggression level, so if the salamander had one eggs or even four eggs she still would protect them just the same. This protecting the mother gives to her eggs actually helps the population of this animal.
Biology 101
Trey Pitt
12/3/10
Wouldnt the Female salamander be protective of all the eggs that she has in its nest. You said that "The number of eggs in her nest didn't make a difference towards the aggression level" shouldnt the mother have the same agressionbut know that sometimes one of here eggs might be taken away. what if there are two threatsat the same time and she goes after one threat while the other goes for the eggs . would she more aggressive or have thatmentality that she will lose a egg in this circumstance? Explain , please.
ReplyDeleteTavis Henry
In most situations like this the mother instinct is to protect her babies. This sometimes can mean giving her own life if needed. A situation like that she would more than likely sacrifice one for the rest knowing that it is the survival of her kind that is dependent upon her reactions to predators as such. -Brandon Noonkester
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ReplyDeleteI feel that this blog is cool because it applies to humans as well. When a child is born of course the mother is going to be extremely protective of it. If someone tries to mess with her baby she may snap and bite as well. Sometimes animals and humans have the same instincts.
ReplyDeleteAshlee Heyward