Cloacal scent gland secretions are effective in a breeding season but not sex-specific in Japanese rat snake (Elaphe climacophora) (Chordata, Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae)

Although the odor of cloacal secretions in snakes is obvious, their function remains unclear. We tested whether these secretions are involved in sexual communication and evaluated the seasonality of their effects. Using T-maze assays across breeding and non-breeding seasons, we found that choices were biased away from the scented arm in the breeding season, whereas choices were random in the non-breeding season. However, no clear sex-specific responses were observed. Our findings emphasize that behavioral responses to cloacal secretions are modulated by seasonality. Future studies are needed to decouple changes in signal chemistry from shifts in receiver sensitivity.