Why do red-tails have red tails 8-)?

[intravenous]

Something I've wondered:

Why do red tail boa constrictors have red tails? Is it to attract prey? Also why do boas in general have a different tail pattern/colour compared with the rest of their body?

[Dan]

I doubt it is to attract prey. In nature, bold and bright colours are used as a warning not an invite so this would go against the principle. Probably more to do with camouflage, to break up the pattern with varied colours etc.

I wouldn't say boas "in general" do have different tail patterns.

[Dexter]

Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets ?

If pencils number 2 are the best, why aren't they number 1 ?

Why do they use sterilised needles to give lethal injection ?

[intravenous]

Originally Posted by reticulatus

I doubt it is to attract prey. In nature, bold and bright colours are used as a warning not an invite so this would go against the principle. Probably more to do with camouflage, to break up the pattern with varied colours etc.

I wouldn't say boas "in general" do have different tail patterns.

I just wondered if it had anything to do with prey because of tree pythons (maybe tree boas too? I'm not sure) and their funny tail that they use to attract prey. Your reason does sound more likely though .

I meant boa constrictors in general have darker, wider saddles on their tail...or at least all the ones I've seen have.

Why did kamikaze pilots wear helmets ?

If pencils number 2 are the best, why aren't they number 1 ?

Why do they use sterilised needles to give lethal injection ?

All those are man made issues and man isn't always logical . Biology normally has a reason though (or a cause).

[Dan]

GTP's and ETB's do have caudal lures but they are only a matter of 2 or 3 cm long and are worm coloured (ie solid or speckled colours) so they are actually a pretty good representation of worms.
The size of animal required to eat a funny coloured worm that a boas tail might represent would also be far too big for the boa to eat.
I can see the logic though (note your last reference )

[Dexter]

On a serious note, I also wondered why boas have that different pattern on their tail, regardless of locality and colours.

But the animal that amazes me most are chameleons. How can they perceive a chance in the environment and trigger a skin colour change, for me is unbelievable they can do that.

[candoia aspera]

i'm always more impressed about squid, cuttlefish and octopus for the sheer speed and adaptive clolour changes

[candoia aspera]

on a less serious note it just wouldn't sound right calling it a mauve tailed boa now would it

[Andy]

It might not be the case but some reptiles try to get predators to attack their tails rather than their heads. Could be boa constrictors have the pattern on their tails so a predator might attack it? Probably not but no-one can say for sure I suppose.

[candoia aspera]

i always thought that it was for camaflauge (sorry for spelling).
general rule of thumb that more tropical more colour to help them blend in, basically the red could emulate leaf litter.
god i waffle