Role of the tongue and senses in feeding of naive and experienced garter snakes.

Prey attack behavior was studied in two species of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis and T. radix). Newborn, ingestively naive, and experienced snakes had their tongues severed surgically, while control groups retained their tongues. Attack latency, tongue flick frequency and an orientation-interest measure were recorded for each subject on responses to extracts prepared from species-characteristic prey. Feeding, as well as responses to prey extracts, were found to be suppressed almost totally in the tongueless naive snakes. A detongued adult, however, readily ate although its behavior was abnormal. Temporary blind and anosmic conditions did not have a significant effect on response rates of the tongueless or control groups. While importance of the tongue-Jacobson's organ system is demonstrated, the length of tongue removed and presurgery experience are important factors.