in dangerous tradeoff birds ally with alligators
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

In dangerous tradeoff, birds ally with alligators

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice In dangerous tradeoff, birds ally with alligators

Alligators deter possums and raccons that might pilfer the birds' eggs while getting a steady meal
Miami - AFP

In the swampy Florida Everglades, egrets and herons build nests that hang precariously close to alligators swimming beneath, ready to swallow any weak chicks that fall into the murky waters.

This game of survival -- while dangerous for the birds -- brings benefits to both, according to researchers who published their work this week in the journal PLOS ONE.

By nesting near alligators, the birds take advantage of a certain degree of protection. Alligators tend to deter furry animals like possums or raccoons that might steal birds' eggs or hatchlings, scientists say.

In exchange, the alligators are pretty much guaranteed a steady meal, as birds are known to pare back their broods by sacrificing the weakest, pushing them out of the nest when times are hard and food is scarce.

The result is a fleet of well-fed gators. And they make no promises about which birds they will or won't eat.   

"We were surprised by the magnitude of the nutritional benefits that alligators were getting," lead author Lucas Nell, a researcher at the University of Georgia, told AFP on Friday.

"A six-foot alligator near a (bird) colony will, on average, weigh about six pounds more than one not near a colony."

- Trading food for safety? -

Nell and colleagues followed up on a previous study by a separate team that tested to see if birds really did prefer to nest near alligators, by putting fake alligators near tree islands.

They found that raccoons and opossums were scarce in areas were the fake alligators lurked, and birds nested in much higher numbers, suggesting that "birds perceive that alligator presence mean better nesting habitat," Nell said.
His team measured the fatness of alligators that lived near birds' nests and compared them to those that did not.

"Alligators near colonies were much fatter and healthier," he said.

So is this a case of birds buying the alligators' protection with a weak chick to eat now and then?

Or have birds decided that furry predators are a greater threat than alligators, and are simply choosing the lesser of two evils?

"As far as we know, they are both just acting in their own self interests. We have no evidence that birds are actively 'paying' alligators or that alligators are making a concerted effort to protect nests," said Nell.

"Birds just want safe nesting areas, and alligators eat anything that hits the water."

Nesting near alligators does not guarantee survival for the parent birds. Plenty of evidence shows that the creeping reptiles will leap out of the water to nab a bird.

Alligators have also "shown some interesting problem-solving behavior when food is involved, like slapping tree trunks to knock chicks out," added Nell.

"There is even some evidence that they might use branches to lure in birds when birds are building nests."

Hence, this reptile researcher said he has a clear opinion on which creature is smarter.

"I'd give the prize to the alligators, but admittedly I'm pretty biased."

 

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

in dangerous tradeoff birds ally with alligators in dangerous tradeoff birds ally with alligators

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

in dangerous tradeoff birds ally with alligators in dangerous tradeoff birds ally with alligators

 



GMT 09:54 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

'Friendly and kind' N. Korean skaters

GMT 09:36 2017 Thursday ,07 December

Heidy Karam’s contract to present talk show close

GMT 10:50 2012 Friday ,20 January

Dusty weather expected in UAE on Friday

GMT 09:35 2018 Saturday ,13 January

New Zealand bat first in third ODI against Pakistan

GMT 10:48 2017 Saturday ,23 December

Meryl Streep's brand under threat

GMT 06:53 2017 Thursday ,11 May

17th Doha Forum To Begin Sunday

GMT 10:30 2017 Thursday ,23 November

Reports underline proliferation of weapons in Arab world

GMT 07:46 2017 Monday ,30 October

Catch it early, treat it early and move on

GMT 08:05 2015 Tuesday ,17 February

Conan O'Brien is first late night host to film in Cuba

GMT 16:17 2018 Thursday ,30 August

Five Saudi women pilots granted GACA licences
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice