| Title | Thermal ecology of the nocturnal snake, Arizona elegans and the diurnal snake, Masticophis flagellum: Factors influencing activity |
| Publication Type | Thesis |
| Year of Publication | 1978 |
| Authors | Jones KBruce |
| Number of Pages | 40 |
| Date Published | 1978 |
| University | New Mexico State University |
| City | Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Thesis Type | M.S. Thesispp |
| Call Number | 00149 |
| Keywords | dissertation, dissertations, snake, Arizona, snake, behavior, snake, Masticophis, snake, thermal ecology, theses, thesis |
| Abstract | There were significant differences in heat gain between live and dead Masticophis flagellum, but no difference in either heat loss or heat gain in Arizona elegans. Field observations of the daily activity patterns of M. flagellum showed that in habitat with sufficient shade (cover) snakes feed during mid-day but in habitats with sparse shade snakes retired to burrows during mid-day. M. flagellum was a sit-and-wait predator in the shaded environment, and an active-search predator in open habitat. Capture success was greater and handling time shorter in shaded habitat than in open habitat. A. elegans had similar activity patterns and feeding in shaded and sparsely shaded habitats. Feeding in borrows and rodent dens allowed A. elegans to feed on diurnal lizards. Activity patterns of A. elegans in the spring and fall were affected by substrate-air temperature differences. |
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Science-based management strategies for sustainability of agriculture and other land uses
