ABSTRACT
“Cold-blooded” (ectothermic) animals require far less food to survive than do “warm-blooded” (endothermic) animals. As a result, a population of snakes can thrive even in areas where food supply varies dramatically through time, even when no food is available for months. Arafura Filesnakes have exceptionally low metabolic rates, and thus a given food resource can support a high density of snakes. This is the case for these aquatic snakes in waterbodies (billabongs) of tropical Australia. In years with high rainfall, and thus abundant prey (fishes), the snakes grow rapidly, survive well, and reproduce frequently; but dry years mean less food, and the snakes can wait for the good times to return before recommencing growth and reproduction.
