Hayes, F. E. 1986. Intraspecific kleptoparasitism and aggression in young, captive Red-eared Sliders
(Pseudemys scripta elegans). Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society 23:109-112.
Abstract.--Young, captive Red-eared Sliders (Pseudemys scripta elegans) readily steal food from the mouth or claws of feeding conspecifics. Unlike other species of turtles, other aggressive behaviors rarely occur during these kleptoparasitic attackes. The frequency of kleptoparasitism appears to be inversely proportional to the quantity of food in the aquarium. Several ecological conditions which may facilitate the occurrence of kleptoparasitism in wild populations of reptiles are discussed. |
