scholarly journals The Spatial Ecology of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in southeastern Louisiana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Borgardt ◽  
Brian Crother ◽  
Kaleb Hill
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Gravid Female ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Crotalus Horridus ◽  
Timber Rattlesnake ◽  
Timber Rattlesnakes ◽  
Southeastern Louisiana

The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) has a large distribution spanning much of the eastern United States. Because temperature, habitat type, prey composition and abundance, and a variety of other factors may dictate reptile behavior, populations of conspecific species may exhibit behavioral differences across latitudinal and elevational gradients. Using radio telemetry, we tracked 10 adult Timber Rattlesnakes (7 males, 3 females) from May 2016 to June 2017 in southeastern Louisiana to examine the spatial ecology of male and non-gravid female snakes. Mean annual and seasonal home ranges of non-gravid female Timber Rattlesnakes were not statistically different from that of males. Mean seasonal home range sizes and average distances travelled of both sexes was smallest in winter, and had a general increasing trend beginning in spring with a peak in fall. These increases seemed to coincide with the breeding season, taking place from early July until the end of November. Comparison of this study with other studies throughout its distribution could have implications towards future management of conservation for other southern populations of Timber Rattlesnakes.

Influence of habitat on home-range size in the short-beaked echidna

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Sprent ◽  
Stewart C. Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Location Data ◽  
Significant Negative Relationship ◽  
Solitary Species

The size of an animal’s home range is strongly influenced by the resources available within it. In productive, resource-rich habitats sufficient resources are obtainable within a smaller area, and for many species, home ranges are smaller in resource-rich habitats than in habitats with lower resource abundance. Location data on 14 male and 27 female echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) fitted with tracking transmitters, in the southern midlands of Tasmania, were used to test the influence of habitat type on home-range size. We hypothesised that as woodland should offer more shelter, food resources and refuges than pasture, echidnas living in woodland would have smaller home ranges than those living in pasture areas. We found significant differences between the sexes. Male echidnas had a significantly larger mean home range than females and a quite different relationship between home-range size and habitat type from females. There was no relationship between the proportion of woodland within male home ranges and home-range size whereas female echidnas had a highly significant negative relationship. This suggests that home-range size of female echidnas is highly influenced by the amount of woodland within it, but the home-range size of male echidnas is controlled by factors other than habitat. This pattern is consistent with the spatial ecology of many other solitary species with a promiscuous mating system. The home ranges of females are scaled to encompass all necessary resources for successfully raising their young within a minimal area, whilst the large home ranges of males are scaled to maximise access to females.

The effects of translocation on the spatial ecology of tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) in a suburban landscape

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Butler ◽  
B. Malone ◽  
N. Clemann
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Perceived Risks ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Suburban Landscape ◽  
Very High

In many suburban parts of Australia the removal of snakes from private property by licenced snake catchers is employed to mitigate perceived risks to humans and their pets. The number of snakes translocated around greater Melbourne, Victoria, each year can be very high (at least many hundreds). However, the effects of translocation on the behaviour and welfare of individual snakes, and the impact on existing snake populations at release sites are unknown. We used radio-telemetry of ‘resident’ and translocated snakes to investigate the consequences of translocation on the spatial ecology of tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) in a suburban parkland near Melbourne. Fourteen snakes (two female and four male residents, and four female and four male translocated snakes) implanted with radio-transmitters were tracked between spring 2002 and autumn 2003. Translocated snakes exhibited home ranges ~6 times larger than those of residents, although each group maintained core ranges of similar size. Translocated snakes travelled longer distances and were often located in residential areas adjacent to the park, whereas resident snakes were never located outside of the park.

Sex, Mass, and Monitoring Effort: Keys to Understanding Spatial Ecology of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)

Herpetologica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Petersen ◽  
Scott M. Goetz ◽  
Michael J. Dreslik ◽  
John D. Kleopfer ◽  
Alan H. Savitzky
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Crotalus Horridus ◽  
Timber Rattlesnakes ◽  
Monitoring Effort

scholarly journals Wolverine, Gulo gulo, Home Range Size and Denning Habitat in Lowland Boreal Forest in Ontario

2010 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Neil Dawson ◽  
Audrey J. Magoun ◽  
Jeff Bowman ◽  
Justina C. Ray
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Selection Of

We conducted the first radio-telemetry study of Wolverines in northwestern Ontario during the winter of 2003-2004 to determine whether home ranges and movements of Wolverines in lowland boreal forest were typical of this species in other ecosystems and to describe reproductive den sites in this habitat type. Seven Wolverines (3 M, 4 F) were radio-tagged and monitored for 31 to 269 (Mean ± SE = 153 ± 35) days using a combination of remotely monitored Argos satellite and conventional aerial telemetry. Male and female 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges (±SE) during December to October were 2,563 (796) km2 and 428 (118) km2, respectively, for combined VHF and Argos locations. A lactating female had a 95% MCP home range of 262 km2. The den site for this female included large boulders and downed trees, similar to dens described for this species in montane ecosystems. Boulder complexes and downed trees may be critical features of wolverine dens in lowland boreal forests. Mean road densities (± SE) within 95% MCP and 50% MCP home ranges were 0.43 (0.13) and 0.33 (0.23) km/km2, respectively, and our results suggest that road densities may affect selection of home ranges by Wolverines. The Wolverine population was a resident, reproductive population. Erratum for table included.

Spatial ecology of a small arboreal ambush predator, Trimeresurus macrops Kramer, 1977, in Northeast Thailand

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Strine ◽  
Inês Silva ◽  
Curt H. Barnes ◽  
Benjamin M. Marshall ◽  
Taksin Artchawakom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Northeast Thailand ◽  
Venomous Snake ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Activity Areas

Abstract The Big-Eyed Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus macrops; Kramer, 1977) is a venomous snake species endemic to Southeast Asia. Although we have some knowledge of the systematics and toxicology of T. macrops, little is known about the spatial ecology of this species. From May 2013 to February 2014, we used radio-telemetry to determine home-range sizes of 13 adult female T. macrops inhabiting the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve in Northeast Thailand. We found that individual home ranges for T. macrops averaged 0.175 ha, with activity areas ranging from 0.112-0.303 ha and core areas ranging from 0.023-0.052 ha. There was little overlap between conspecific tracked females, especially for the most used areas of their home ranges. We find that T. macrops ambushes more in higher humidity and expresses very little diurnal activity. They use the groundstory for ambushing, then retreat over small distances to higher refuge during the day. Future studies should focus on prey abundance, habitat selection, and survival rates.

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal ecology of the Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus) in a Mediterranean polyculture

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Lourenço ◽  
António Mira ◽  
Sara Santos ◽  
Maria da Luz Mathias
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Kernel Method ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractIn this study we report the first data on the spatial ecology of the Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus). Data report to the breeding season and to a traditional Mediterranean agricultural landscape in Central Portugal, using radio-telemetry methods. We documented large home range areas with values of 1042 m2 for males and 862 m2 for females (MCP method; 95% kernel method with values of 229 m2 and 159 m2 for males and females, respectively). Although no significant differences between sexes or reproductive status were found, longer daily movements were observed in reproductively inactive males. Pair bonding and home range overlap was observed between males and females, as well as between females and sub-adults. Voles showed no distinct preference for day or night for activity periods and movements. However, this result was dependent on sex, reproductive status and time of day. Voles revealed habitat preference for both spatial scales of analysis: they selected verges, vines and olives, within the study area, and used more verges within their home ranges, when compared to the other habitat types. The use of space by Microtus lusitanicus, in comparison with other microtines, suggests the occurrence of spatial associations between males and females in monogamous pairs. The importance of verges and linear habitats within an agricultural context is apparent, once they provide food and shelter from predators and human interventions.

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