Movements and Activity Range Sizes of Northern Pinesnakes (Pituophis Melanoleucus Melanoleucus) in Middle Tennessee

Movement patterns and activity ranges were examined in a small population of Northern Pinesnakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus), a rare species inhabiting a variety of habitat types. Information was obtained by implanting nine individuals with radio transmitters and monitoring them over a two...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal of herpetology 2006-12, Vol.40 (4), p.503-510
Hauptverfasser: Gerald, Gary W, Bailey, Mark A, Holmes, Jeffrey N
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Movement patterns and activity ranges were examined in a small population of Northern Pinesnakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus), a rare species inhabiting a variety of habitat types. Information was obtained by implanting nine individuals with radio transmitters and monitoring them over a two-year period. Telemetered snakes exhibited a bimodal activity pattern with snakes moving more often during spring and late summer to early autumn. Snakes traveled an average of 273 m per move. Males moved greater distances than females during spring and movements during the autumn months were shorter than movements during spring or summer for all snakes. Northern Pinesnakes traversed large activity ranges averaging 59.9 ha with core centers of activity averaging 7.9 ha. Snakes made long movements across less suitable habitats (late successional forest habitats) to get to preferred areas (early successional field habitats). The mosaic of habitats comprising the study area may be responsible for large movement distances and activity ranges observed in individuals from this population. Telemetered snakes traveled longer distances to and from widely separated areas, resulting in this population needing more extensive, contiguous areas to support their biological needs under the current management regime.
ISSN:0022-1511
1937-2418
DOI:10.1670/0022-1511(2006)40[503:MAARSO]2.0.CO;2