The multimodal display of rattlesnakes is a deterring signal that works best with sympatric species

TL;DR

Rattlesnakes' rattling display scares animals, especially those that live in the same area as rattlesnakes, suggesting it evolved as a defense mechanism.

Contribution

A robotic rattlesnake was used to show that the multimodal display deters animals, with stronger effects on sympatric species.

Findings

Animals showed aversive responses to the robotic rattlesnake's display.

Sympatric species had stronger fear responses, indicating evolved innate fear.

The multimodal display acts as a deimatic signal triggering reflexive avoidance.

Abstract

The rattlesnake rattle is one of the most iconic communication signals in nature, yet its evolutionary function remains poorly understood. To test the long-standing hypothesis that the defensive display of rattlesnakes acts as a deterrent, we developed a 3D-printed robotic rattlesnake capable of displaying the multimodal sensory stimulus produced by a rattlesnake. This robot was presented to 38 species of zoo-housed animals in a series of behavioral trials. Animals displayed aversive response to the signal, suggesting that this multimodal display functions as a deimatic signal by triggering reflexive avoidance response. Sympatric species exhibited even stronger fear response to the display, suggesting an evolved, innate fear to the signal. These results offer insights into how complex antipredator signals can originate and diversify in the animal kingdom.

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