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Bio-Mimetic Snake Robots Model the Evolution of Mimetic Aposematism
Cubed
StatusCubed
Alison
Davis Rabosky
LSA: Natural Sciences
Daniel
Rabosky
LSA: Natural Sciences
Sridhar
Kota
Engineering
StatusCubed
Cube Size
Mini Cube ($15K)
Category
Biotechnology
Mcubed 2.0
Description

How do animals avoid predation? Venomous coral snakes in South America use stereotyped postures to display their warning colors (termed aposematism) and deter potential predators. Several non-venomous snakes attempt to deceptively mimic the coral snakes, with varying degrees of success. However, the relative importance of, and interaction between, color and motion in effectively discouraging predators is unclear.  To test the biomechanical factors important to predator deterrence, this project aims to use animal kinematics and fiber reinforced elastomeric enclosures (FREEs) to create autonomous, bio-mimetic soft robots capable of generating the full spectrum of snake anti-predator behaviors. These snake robots will be colored to match the range of patterns found in snakes and presented to predators in independent combinations of color and motion. Predator reaction to each combination will provide insight into the evolution of aposematic behavior.

Accomplishments
Check back soon for cube accomplishments!
Keywords
Biodiversity,
Soft Robotics,
Biomimicry,
Behavioral
Project ID
1499
Project Posted By
Alison Davis Rabosky (LSA: Natural Sciences)

Team

Alison
Davis Rabosky
LSA: Natural Sciences
Daniel
Rabosky
LSA: Natural Sciences
Sridhar
Kota
Engineering

Additional Faculty

Additional Personnel

Talia Moore, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, LSA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; Joanna Larson, Graduate Student, LSA: Natural Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UM-AA
Josh Bishop-Moser, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, UM-AA; Ciara Sanchez Paredes, Graduate Student, LSA: Natural Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UM-AA
Audrey Sedal, Graduate Student, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, UM-AA; Dan Bruder, Graduate Student, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, UM-AA
Jacqueline Kristofik, Undergraduate Student, LSA: Natural Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UM-AA; Bailey Balinsky, Undergraduate Student, LSA: Natural Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UM-AA
Erin Westeen, Undergraduate Student, LSA: Natural Sciences, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UM-AA

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