Home Range and Homing in the Watersnake, Natrix sipedon sipedon

Home range and homing behavior in the watersnake, Natrix sipedon, were studied by following the movements of displaced and non-displaced snakes in a fish hatchery. The snakes occupied small home ranges, and two individuals apparently moved from one home range to another. Displaced snakes were released short (ca 0.2 mile) and long (ca 0.5 mile) distances in both upstream and downstream directions. About 20% of the displaced snakes homed; the distance and direction of displacement were apparently unimportant. However, only longer snakes homed over the greater distances, while size apparently was unimportant over the lesser distances. The possible sensory basis and adaptive significance of homing are discussed.