Female cloacal gland secretions may function as sexual signals that deter males during the breeding season 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 cloacal secretions are involved in sexual communication. Thus, male Japanese rat snakes ( Elaphe climacophora ), but not females, would avoid female cloacal secretions during the breeding season, with little or no avoidance outside this period. The T-maze trials did not provide clear evidence for a sex-by-season interaction in scent-arm choice. However, the observed choice rates followed the predicted pattern: males chose the scented arm less often during the breeding season (4/15 trials, 27%) than during the non-breeding season (9/15 trials, 60%), whereas females showed the same choice rate in both seasons (8/12 trials, 67% in each). Comparing male arm-choice and courtship responses to secretions from females at different reproductive stages would help clarify the role of these secretions in mate rejection.