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Owl Nests: A Snake's Unexpected Home?
25 Aug
Summary
- Researchers found live snakes in 44% of occupied owl nests.
- Owl chicks in snake-occupied nests had higher survival rates.
- Owls carry live snakes, but not for food, into nests.
Researchers in central Türkiye have documented an unusual relationship between Eurasian scops owls and worm snakes. Over six breeding seasons, inspections of 109 owl nests revealed that 44% contained live Xerotyphlops vermicularis, commonly known as the worm snake. These snakes were found exclusively in nests occupied by the owls, and observations indicated the owls were bringing them in alive.
The snakes were observed moving within the nesting material, where they may feed on ants and fly larvae. This behavior suggests a potential ecological interaction beyond simple predation. The study found that young owls in nests with snakes had a higher fledging rate of 61%, compared to 29% in nests without snakes.
While this data supports the possibility of a mutually beneficial relationship, researchers emphasize that it does not definitively prove causation. Other factors could influence the survival rates, and the exact benefits for both species remain under investigation. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting complex ecological partnerships can develop unexpectedly.
