Dewspur

Cessus region of an idol snake ( Boa constrictor ) with dewspurs

Skeleton with dewspur of a Boelen python ( Simalia boeleni )

After spurs or dew claws are the rudimentary remains of hind limbs , which in some taxa of snakes exist. These are parts of the basin that are considered to be an indication of the evolutionary descent of the snakes from four-legged reptiles . Accordingly, they are mainly found at very basal taxa, such as the blind snakes , rolling snakes , Wühlschlangen , pipesnakes and the boas and pythons . Especially in the latter two families, the dewclaws sometimes protrude from the body on both sides of the anus .

Anal spurs serve in some species to hold the partner in place during the reproductive act.

literature

Roland Bauchot (Ed.): Snakes. Bechtermünz Verlag, Augsburg 1998, ISBN 3-8289-1501-9 .

Individual evidence

^ JC Gillingham, JA Chamber: Courtship and Pelvic Spur Use in the Burmese Python, Python molurus bivittatus. In: Copeia. Volume 1982, No. 1, 1982, pp. 193-196, doi : 10.2307 / 1444292 , JSTOR 1444292 .

[1] JC Gillingham, JA Chamber: Courtship and Pelvic Spur Use in the Burmese Python, Python molurus bivittatus. In: Copeia. Volume 1982, No. 1, 1982, pp. 193-196, doi : 10.2307 / 1444292 , JSTOR 1444292 .