Nurse Snake for Owls? (1 Viewer)

[Phrog54]

Is there any evidence of a symbionic relationship between snakes and owls or other birds of prey? Specifically a 'Nurse Snake' which would clean the nest of the bird.

 

[Suricate]

Is there any evidence of a symbionic relationship between snakes and owls or other birds of prey? Specifically a 'Nurse Snake' which would clean the nest of the bird.

Hi,
In answer to your question. there is one particular bond between an Owl and a Snake. This is OTUS ASIO eastern Screech Owl and mostly in the western states these Owls bring live blind snakes to their nests. it is believed that this is for the sole reason of controlling parasites.
Studies of certain nest sites have shown that in the cases of blind snakes being taken into nests the young have grown quicker and there has been a significant reduction in the mortality rate.
Hope this helps
Regards
Suricate

 

[Phrog54]

nurse snakes

thank you so much. this helps to answer the questions my students have had about the nurse snakes mentioned in kathryn lasky's ga'hoole series ( children's lieterature) which deals with owls. they were concerned that this idea was out of the author's imagination. now we know it is based on fact.