DOCSLIB.ORG

A Comparative Osteological Study of Two Species of Colubridae: (Pituophis and Thamnophis) Robert E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Comparative Osteological Study of Two Species of Colubridae: (Pituophis and Thamnophis) Robert E Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series Volume 8 | Number 3 Article 1 12-1966 A comparative osteological study of two species of Colubridae: (Pituophis and Thamnophis) Robert E. Bullock Lethbridge College, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Wilmer W. Tanner Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib Part of the Anatomy Commons, Botany Commons, Physiology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Bullock, Robert E. and Tanner, Wilmer W. (1966) "A comparative osteological study of two species of Colubridae: (Pituophis and Thamnophis)," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 8 : No. 3 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol8/iss3/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. A/ |Y^ Brigham Young University Science Bulletin -^^OWP^ zc UNIVERSITY A COMPARATIVE OSTEOLOGICAL STUDY OF TWO SPECIES OF COLUBRIDAE (PITUOPHIS AND THAMNOPHIS) by ROBERT E. BULLOCK and WILMER W. TANNER BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 ^y DECEMBER, 1966 I BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN BIOLOGICAL SERIES Editor: Dorald M. Allred, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Associate Editor: Eabl M. Christensen, Department of Botany, Brigham Yoimg University, Provo, Utah Members of the Editorial Board: Bacteriology J. V. Beck, C. Lynn HArwAUD, Zoology W. Derby Lavs^s, Agronomy Howard C. Stutz, Botany WiLMER W. Tanner, Zoology, Chairman of the Board David L. Hanks, Botany Ex officio Members: Rudger H. Walker,> Dean, College of Biological and Agricultural ScienceSciences Ernest L. Olson, Chairman, University PubHcations The Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, publishes acceptable papers, particularly large manuscripts, on all phases of biology. Separate numbers and back volumes can be purchased from University Publications, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. All remittances should be made payable to Brigham Young University. Orders and materials for library exchange should be directed to the Division of Gifts and Exchange, Brigham Young University Library, Provo, Utah. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin A COMPARATIVE OSTEOLOGICAL STUDY OF TWO SPECIES OF COLUBRIDAE (PITUOPHIS AMD THAMNOPHIS) by ROBERT E. BULLOCK and WILMER W. TANNER BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME VIII, NUMBER 3 DECEMBER, 1966 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 1 MATERIALS AND METHODS 2 VERTEBRAL COLUMN 3 Atlas 7 Axis 7 First Thoracic Vertebra 7 Other Thoracic Vertebrae 9 Lumbar Vertebrae 9 Anterior Caudal Vertebrae 9 Middle Caudal Vertebrae 13 Posterior Caudal Vertebrae 13 Ribs 13 SKULL 15 Premaxilla 15 Nasals 15 Septomaxillae 15 Vomers 15 Frontals 15 Prefrontals 17 Parietals 17 Postorbitals 17 Supraoccipital 17 Prootics - 17 Exoccipitals 19 Basioccipital 19 Basisphenoid 19 MaxiUae 19 Ectopterygoids 19 Palatines 19 Pterygoids 21 Supratemporals 21 Quadrates 21 Mandible ^ 21 Stapes 22 Hyoid Apparatus 22 OSTEOLOGICAL COMPARISONS 22 Vertebral Column 22 Skull .. 23 DISCUSSION 25 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 27 LITERATURE CITED 28 ABBREVIATIONS USED IN PLATES 28 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Atlas 4 2. Axis 5 3. First Thoracic and Thoracic Vertebrae 6 4. Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebrae 8 5. Anterior Caudal Vertebra 10 6. Middle Caudal Vertebra 11 7. Posterior Caudal Vertebra and Rib 12 8. Skull, Dorsal View 14 9. Skull, Lateral View 16 10. Skull, Ventral View 18 11. Hyoid Apparatus, Mandible, and Cranium 20 A COMPARATIVE OSTEOLOGICAL STUDY OF TWO SPECIES OF COLUBRIDAE {PITUOPHIS AND THAMNOPHIS) by Robert E. Bullock' and Wilmer W. Tanner- INTRODUCTION Snake anatomy has been genei-ally neglected. relative abundance. One of them (P. catenifer) Although some early writers recorded observa- cxjnstricts its prey. other T. radix ) The ( swallows tions on the anatomy of snakes, no attempt has it alive. This difference in mode of feeding may been made to undertake a comprehensive study, be responsible for some structural modifications. and Cole (1944) has rightfully referred to this Although it is not the purpose of this study section of vertebrate anatomy as an "almost vir- directly to resolve any phylogenetic or ta.xonomic gin field." Snakes deserve more intensive in- problems, it is hoped that it will encourage other vestigation because of the considerable number anatomical studies of reptiles, add to our present of adaptations demonstrated by them, their understanding of homologies, and indicate im- peculiar types of locomotion, and methods of portant internal phylogenetic and taxonomic feeding. It is important to comprehend their structures as suggested by Robinson and Tanner anatomical specializations if we are to under- (1962). stand the evolutionary trends among modern Although no previous investigator has studied reptiles. It also is evident that comparative de- the osteology of the two species included in this scriptions of serpents, thus far based mainly on study, the general gross anatomy of various external characteristics, need to be supplemented other snakes has been known for a long time. by accounts of their internal anatomy. Ahrenfeldt (1955) stated that as far back as 1573 there were some fragmentary accounts of The purpose of this study is threefold: snake anatomy published in Europe, but Cole (1) To work out in detail the osteology of ( 1944 ) mentioned that it was not until 1683 that two common members of the family the first workmanlike and relatively accurate Colubridae. description of serpent anatomy was made by (2) To compare the bones and bone struc- Edward Tyson on a "Timber Rattlesnake" said tures of the two species in order to de- to have been collected in the West Indies. Owen ( gave one of the first termine their anatomical similarities and 1866 ) detailed differences, and to use these comparisons accounts of the osteology and myology of snakes in determining the different speciahza- based on his work with the species Crotalus tions that have been made by two com- horridtis, Pijthon tigris. Boa constrictor, Naja mon serpents. tripudians, and Deirodon scaber. Although Owen's work on this section of the vertebrates (3) To relate the structural differences of is a general account by our standards, in his these genera, as far as possible, to some time it was a major contribution to this area of of the other generic groups previously anatomy. Another work dealing with reported. snake anatomy is a laboratory dissecting guide by Kel- Our original intent was also to include the licott (1898) for the genus Heterodon. Unfor- myology of the head, neck, and anterior tnmk tunately, the descriptions lack detail and are region (first 10 vertebrae). This proved to be a therefore somewhat superficial and in many major effort in itself, and such a report will ap- areas incomplete. pear separately at a later date. Huxley (1871), Gegenbaur (1878), Hoffman The gopher snake, Pituophis catenifer Blain- (1890), Sedgwick (1905), Wiedersheim and N'ille, and the plains garter snake, Thamnophis Parker (1907), VVilliston (192,5), Kingsley radix (Baird and Girard), were chosen for this (1917), Goodrich (1930), and Versluys (1937) study because of their moderately large size and were some of the early textbook writers who ^Lethbridge College. Lethbridge, AJberta, Canad ^Department of Zoology and Entomology, Brigha Young University, Provo, Utah. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin dealt with the subject of snake osteology. Most describes and compares the development of the of these writers restricted their studies to the cranial muscles and associated skeletal structures skull of serpents, and on occasion included one in forms ranging from the fishes to the mam- or more generalized vertebrae. Romer's "Osteo- mals. Haas (1930) and Cowan and Hick (1951) logy of the Reptiles" (1956) deals only briefly also dealt with the musculature of snakes, but with serpents, but does bring some of the termi- included skeletal structures as well. Albright and nology and many of the homologies up to date. Nelson ( 19.59 ) dealt with the cranial osteology Two volumes by Ludicke (1962, 1964) de- and the musculature of the colubrid snake voted entirely to the anatomy of serpents deal Elaphe obsolcta quadrivittata. rather extensively with the developmental and Perhaps more osteology has been done with adult anatomy of several species of snakes, in- venomous species, particularly with the teeth cluding a few colubrid species. Many of the (fangs) and sk-ull. The work of Klauber (1956: descriptions and comparisons in these works are 712-743) is a good example. of a general nature and, therefore, are of limited We made no major attempt here to e.xhaust value in making comparisons with the colubrid the references which may refer to snake anat- species involved in this study. omy. Those referred to above represent some of Sood (1941, 1948) published two papers the more important works that we have seen. dealing with the vertebral column of serpents. We were greatly surprised when we found rela- The first is concerned with the caudal vertebrae tively few studies dealing with either of the two of the sandsnake, Eryx johnii (Russell), and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pituophis Catenifer
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer Pacific Northwestern Gophersnake – P.c. catenifer Great Basin Gophersnake – P.C. deserticola Bullsnake – P.C. sayi in Canada EXTIRPATED - Pacific Northwestern Gophersnake – P.c. catenifer THREATENED - Great Basin Gophersnake – P.c. deserticola DATA DEFICIENT - Bullsnake – P.c. sayi 2002 COSEWIC COSEPAC COMMITTEE ON THE STATUS OF COMITÉ SUR LA SITUATION DES ENDANGERED WILDLIFE IN ESPÈCES EN PÉRIL CANADA AU CANADA COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: Please note: Persons wishing to cite data in the report should refer to the report (and cite the author(s)); persons wishing to cite the COSEWIC status will refer to the assessment (and cite COSEWIC). A production note will be provided if additional information on the status report history is required. COSEWIC 2002. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 33 pp. Waye, H., and C. Shewchuk. 2002. COSEWIC status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada in COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-33 pp. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: (819) 997-4991 / (819) 953-3215 Fax: (819) 994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Ếgalement disponible en français sous le titre Évaluation et Rapport du COSEPAC sur la situation de la couleuvre à nez mince (Pituophis catenifer) au Canada Cover illustration: Gophersnake — Illustration by Sarah Ingwersen, Aurora, Ontario.
    [Show full text]
  • Bull Snake Class: Reptilia
    Pituophis catenifer sayi Bull Snake Class: Reptilia. Order: Squamata. Family: Colubridae. Other names: Gopher Snake, Pine Snake Physical Description: Bull snakes are usually yellow in color, with brown, black or reddish colored blotching or saddle spots on the sides of the snake. There are dark spots placed between the blotches or saddle spots. Below this is a further row of smaller dark spots. The belly is light brown. Many variations in color have been found, including albinos and white variations. This snake has a small head and a large nose shield, which it uses to dig. They often exceed 6 feet in length, with specimens of up to 100 inches being recorded. Males are generally larger then females. The bull snake is a member of the family of harmless snakes, or Colubridae. This is the largest order of snakes, representing two-thirds of all known snake species. Members of this family are found on all continents except Antarctica, widespread from the Arctic Circle to the southern tips of South America and Africa. All but a handful of species are harmless snakes, not having venom or the ability to deliver toxic saliva through fangs. Most harmless snakes subdue their prey through constriction, striking and seizing small rodents, birds or amphibians and quickly wrapping their body around the prey causing suffocation. While other small species such as the common garter snake lack powers to constrict and feed on only small prey it can overpower. Diet in the Wild: Bull snakes eat small mammals, such as mice, rats, large bugs as well as ground nesting birds, lizards and the young of other snakes.
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the Indiana Academy Of
    Serological Relationships among some Midwestern Snakes Sherman A. Minton Jr., Department of Microbilogy and Immunology Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Abstract Using immunoelectrophoresis, serum samples from 24 species of midwestern snakes were reacted against antiserums raised against serums of Elaphe obsoleta, Natrix sipedon, and Agkistrodon piscivorus. On the basis of immunoelectrophoretic patterns, three clusters of species can be recognized. One consists of Natrix (3 sp.), Thamnophis (2 sp.), Regina septemvittata, Clonophis kirtlandi, Storeria dekayi and Virginia valeriae. A second consists of Elaphe (2 sp.), Lampropeltis (3 sp.) and Pituophis melanoleucus. The third consists of Agkistrodon (2sp.), Sistrurus catenatus, and Crotalus horridus. Five species {Coluber constrictor, Diadophis punctatus, Carphophis amoenus, Farancia abacura, and Heterodon platyrhinos) do not fit well into any of the above groups nor do they appear closely related to each other. Immunoelectrophoretic patterns do not indicate a markedly closer relationship between the Natrix and Elaphe groups of nonvenomous snakes than exists between these groups and the Agkistrodon group of pit vipers. Elaphe, Natrix and Agkistrodon all have species in east Asia, and the American groups presumably evolved from this stock. Other relationships and their zoogeographic implications are discussed. Introduction About 38 species of snakes occur in Indiana and adjoining states. Traditional taxonomy divides them into two families, the venomous pit vipers (Crotalinae, now generally considered a subfamily of the Viperidae) and the "typical nonvenomous snakes" of the family Colubridae. However, work during the past decade by investigators using both morphological and nonmorphological criteria has shown the Colubridae to be a highly heterogenous group (2,6,9,12,13).
    [Show full text]
  • Great Basin Gophersnake,Pituophis Catenifer Deserticola
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Great Basin Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer deserticola in Canada THREATENED 2013 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Great Basin Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer deserticola in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xii + 53 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm). Previous report(s): COSEWIC 2002. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 33 pp. Waye, H., and C. Shewchuk. 2002. COSEWIC status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada in COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Gophersnake Pituophis catenifer in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-33 pp. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Lorraine Andrusiak and Mike Sarell for writing the update status report on Great Basin Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada. This report was overseen and edited by Kristiina Ovaska, Co-chair of the COSEWIC Amphibians and Reptiles Specialist Subcommittee. For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur la Couleuvre à nez mince du Grand Bassi (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) au Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • 276 Natural History Notes
    276 NATURAL HISTORY NOTES PITUOPHIS CATENIFER AFFINIS (Sonoran Gophersnake). DIET. Pituophis catenifer affinis is a common species throughout central New Mexico that has been reported to feed primarily on mam- mals. However, it will opportunistically feed on a variety of prey items including birds (Ernst and Ernst 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C. 668 pp.) and bird eggs (Degenhardt et al. 1996. The Amphibians and Rep- tiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 431 pp.), although eggs might be consumed second- arily (Fitch 1999. A Kansas Snake Community: Composition and Changes over 50 years. Krieger Publishing Co., Malabar, Florida. 165 pp.). At ca. 1030 h on 27 July 2010, while conducting Coccyzus americanus occidentalis (Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo) telemetry studies (Sechrist et al. 2012. Western Birds 43:2–11), we recorded FIG. 1. Nerodia sipedon scavenged by Limenitis arthemis astyanax, a P. c. affinis predating a C. a. occidentalis nest containing three Mahwah City, New Jersey, USA. eggs near The Narrows, Sierra Co., New Mexico, USA (33.2219°N, 107.1048°W; datum WGS84). The nest was located 6.2 m above enough to pass through the proboscis and exposed muscle tissue the ground, nestled in a fork of a live 10.6-m tall Salix gooddin- provides both minerals and salts of appropriate size. The snake gii (Gooding’s Willow). A remote camera captured a nine-second was scavenged for two consecutive days (90 min/day), either by video of the predation event, although it is likely the event lasted the same returning individual butterfly or by multiple individuals.
    [Show full text]
  • Hatchling Survival to Breeding Age in Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis Melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens: Human Effects on Recruitment from 1986 to 2017
    RESEARCH ARTICLE Hatchling survival to breeding age in Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the New Jersey Pine Barrens: Human effects on recruitment from 1986 to 2017 Joanna Burger1*, Robert T. Zappalorti2, Michael Gochfeld1 1 Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America, a1111111111 2 Herpetological Associates, Inc. Pemberton, New Jersey, United States of America a1111111111 * [email protected] a1111111111 a1111111111 a1111111111 Abstract To conserve threatened/endangered species, we need to understand the factors contribut- ing to reproductive success and recruitment to reproductive stage. Obtaining this informa- OPEN ACCESS tion is difficult for snakes because they are secretive, are not easy to locate at the same Citation: Burger J, Zappalorti RT, Gochfeld M stage each year, and are sometimes sparsely distributed. We determined nest fate, hatch- (2018) Hatchling survival to breeding age in ling growth and survival to age 5 years, and recruitment to breeding age of Northern Pine Northern Pine Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in Snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in New Jersey Pine Barrens from 1986 to 2017. Pine the New Jersey Pine Barrens: Human effects on recruitment from 1986 to 2017. PLoS ONE 13(5): Snakes are `threatened' in New Jersey and in other states, and are at risk because of e0195676. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. increased human population, habitat loss, predation, and poaching. Age of first-breeding pone.0195676 was 4-years, based on snout-vent length of gravid and laying females, and snout-vent Editor: Tim A. Mousseau, University of South length of females followed as hatchlings to 5-years.
    [Show full text]
  • Thirty-Nine Species of Snakes Inhabit Illinois, Dwelling in Forests, Grasslands
    I l l i n o i s yellowbelly water snake Nerodia erythrogaster SNAKESSNAKES eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos eastern worm snake Carphophis amoenus racer Coluber constrictor western ribbon snake Thamnophis proximus Graham’s crayfish snake Regina grahamii northern water snake Nerodia sipedon western mud snake Farancia abacura smooth earth snake Virginia valeriae common garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis redbelly snake Storeria occipitomaculata western fox snake Pantherophis vulpinus prairie kingsnake Lampropeltis calligaster bullsnake Pituophis catenifer diamondback water snake Nerodia rhombifer common kingsnake Lampropeltis getula red milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum syspila brown snake Storeria dekayi rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus black rat snake juvenile cottonmouth juvenile ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus black rat snake Pantherophis spiloides cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus timber rattlesnake juvenile copperhead juvenile eastern massasauga juvenile timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus Species List Family Colubridae This poster was made possible by: eastern worm snake Carphophis amoenus hirty-nine species of snakes inhabit Illinois, dwelling in forests, grasslands, marshes, swamps, ponds, racer Coluber constrictor ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus western mud snake Farancia abacura Illinois Department of Natural Resources lakes, streams, rivers, and sloughs. Some species are quite common, while others are very rare. These eastern hognose snake Heterodon platirhinos prairie kingsnake Lampropeltis calligaster Division of Education common kingsnake Lampropeltis getula Division of Natural Heritage reptiles are solitary predators that eat a variety of prey. Snakes have interesting structural features Classification: red milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum syspila T yellowbelly water snake Nerodia erythrogaster Illinois State Museum Kingdom Animalia diamondback water snake Nerodia rhombifer including the Jacobson’s organ, which is used to detect odors.
    [Show full text]
  • AMPHIBIANS and REPTILES of ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT Compiled by the Interpretive Staff with Technical Assistance from Dr
    AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT Compiled by the Interpretive Staff With Technical Assistance From Dr. J . C. McCoy, Carnegie Museum, Pittsburg, Pa. and Dr. Robert C. Stebbins, University of California, Berkeley Comm:m Names Scientific Names Amphibians Class Amphibia Frogs ~ Toads Order Sa.;J.ienta Toads Family Bufonidae Colorado River toad Bufo alvaris (s) Great plains toad nuro co~tus (s) Red- spotted toad Biil'O puncatus (s) Sonora green toad Buf'O retiformis Spadefoot Toads Family Pelobatidae Couch's spadefoot Scaphiopus couchi (8) Reptiles Class Reptilia Turtles Order Testudinata Mud Turtles and Their Allies Family Chelydridae Sonora mud turtle Kinosternon sonorien8e (s) Land Tortoises and Their Allies Family Testudinjdae - -.;.;.;.;;;.;;;;;..--- Desert tortoise Gopherus agassizi Lizards and Snakes Order Squamata Lizards Suborder Sauria Geckos Family Gekkonidae Desert banded gecko Coleoqyx ! . variegatus (s) Iguanids Family Iguanidae Arizona zebra- tailed lizard Callisaurus draconoides ventralis (s) Western collard lizard Crotaphytus collaris bailer) ( s) Long-nosed leopard lizard Crotaphytus ! . wislizeni (s Desert iguana ~saurus d. dorsalis (s) Southern desert horned lizard osoma p!atyrhinos calidiarum Regal horned lizard Phrynosoma solara ( s) Arizona chuckwalla Sauromalus obesus tumidus (s) Desert spi~ lizard SceloEorus m. magister (s) Colorado River tree lizard Urosaurus ornatus symmetricus (s) Desert side-blotched lizard ~ stansburiana stejnegeri (s) Teids Family Teidae Red-backed whiptail Cnemidophorus burti xanthonot us ~) Southern whiptail Cnemidophorus tigris gracilis (6) Venomous Lizards Family Heloderrr~tidae Reticula.te Gila m:mster Heloderma ! .. suspectum (6) Snakes Suborder Serpentes Worm Snakes Family Leptotyphlopidae Southwestern blind snake Leptottphlops h. humilis (s) Boas Family Boidae Desert rosy boa Lichanura trivirgata gracia (s) Colubrids Family Colubridae Arizona glossy snake Arizona elegans noctivaga c.
    [Show full text]
  • PITUOPHIS CATENIFER DESERTICOLA (Great Basin Gophersnake)
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Publications Plant Health Inspection Service 2011 PITUOPHIS CATENIFER DESERTICOLA (Great Basin Gophersnake). PREDATION Steven J. Wamback USDA/Wildlife Services Richard M. Engeman USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_usdanwrc Wamback, Steven J. and Engeman, Richard M., "PITUOPHIS CATENIFER DESERTICOLA (Great Basin Gophersnake). PREDATION" (2011). USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff Publications. 1306. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/icwdm_usdanwrc/1306 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USDA National Wildlife Research Center - Staff Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 618 NATURAL HISTORY NOTES PITUOPHIS CATENIFER DESERTICOLA (Great Basin Gopher­ snake). PREDATION. A variety of taxa have been observed to· prey upon Pituophis ca ten ifer, including mammals, birds-of­ prey, and other snakes (Ernst and Ernst 2003. Snakes ofthe Unied States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 668 pp.). Here, we describe an unusual two-day observation of predation on a mature Great Basin Gophersnake by a Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Herpetological Review 42(4), 2011 NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 619 rhe observation took place in Jones Canyon, Utah, USA, on the grounds of the Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery (JHNFH). Jones Creek' emanates from springs at the head of Jones Can­ yon on hatchery grounds, and flows north to south 6.4 km to the Green River, approximately paralleling the Utah-Coloradoborder.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Account for Gophersnake
    California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Interagency Wildlife Task Group GOPHERSNAKE Pituophis catenifer Family: COLUBRIDAE Order: SQUAMATA Class: REPTILIA R057 Written by: S. Morey Reviewed by: T. Papenfuss Edited by: R. Duke Updated by: CWHR Program Staff, September 2000 DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY The gophersnake is California's most widespread and common snake. Gophersnakes are found thoughout California, including the Channel Islands, and are absent only from the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada. They are found in all habitats and are generally absent only from densely forested habitat stages in the Sierra Nevada. Elevation range extends up to 2740 m (9000 ft) (Stebbins 1985). SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: Adults take chiefly mammals and birds while foraging in mammal burrows, on the ground, or in shrubs. Stebbins (1954) listed mice, kangaroo rats, gophers, ground squirrels, rabbits, quail and ducks and their eggs as among the food items reported for gopher snakes. Juveniles take young mice and small lizards. Prey is killed by constriction. Cover: When inactive, gophersnakes seek cover in rodent burrows and under surface objects such as flat rocks, logs, and boards. At high elevations with long cold winters, individuals hibernate, often with other species of snakes, in rodent burrows and in deep rock fissures. Reproduction: Eggs are normally laid below the surface in stable rock talus, in abandoned mammal burrows, and in loose moist soil. Water: No information on water requirements. Gophersnakes are common in arid and semi-arid regions. Standing water is not an important habitat element. Pattern: Prefer sparse and open grassy stages, less common or absent from denser forested habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • A Fossil Snake (Elaphe Vulpina) from a Pliocene Ash Bed in Nebraska J
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies 1982 A Fossil Snake (Elaphe vulpina) From A Pliocene Ash Bed In Nebraska J. Alan Holman Michigan State University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas Holman, J. Alan, "A Fossil Snake (Elaphe vulpina) From A Pliocene Ash Bed In Nebraska" (1982). Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies. 492. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas/492 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska Academy of Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 1982. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy ofSciences, X:37-42. A FOSSIL SNAKE (ELAPHE VULPINA) FROM A PLIOCENE ASH BED IN NEBRASKA J. Alan Holman Museum Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 48824 The articulated skeleton of a fossil snake from the late Middle occipital, quadrates, parasphenoid, basisphenoid, splenials, Pliocene of northeastern Nebraska is unique in that it is one of the most dentaries, angulars, articulars, supra-angulars, and coronoids. complete fossil snakes known; it was preserved by an ash-fall. It is iden­ The other skull elements crushed beyond recognition. Post­ tified as the modern species Ekzphe vulpina, and it appears to have been trampled by a large ungulate. cranial elements: 47 cervical vertebrae, 146 trunk vertebrae, 46 caudal vertebrae, and 155 ribs.
    [Show full text]
  • Do You Know Which Snake Is a Rattlesnake?
    BULLSNAKE IDENTIFICATION: This brochure is provided by: PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE . Neck is the same width as the head, and has round pupils; . Upper side yellowish or cream with numerous dark or black blotches; scales on upper back keeled. They can grow much longer than rattlesnakes reaching up to 100 inches, but rarely more than 71 BOULDER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE inches. ANIMAL CONTROL UNIT . They are rattlesnake imposters 5600 Flatiron Parkway because they will also coil up and Boulder, CO 80301 shake their tail, while making a Dispatch: 303‐441‐4444 rattle sound. Snakes cause a number of concerns and LIFE FACTS: conflicts for humans. Information on how . They are distributed throughout to solve conflicts with snakes can be DO YOU KNOW WHICH most of Colorado at elevations obtained through: below about 8,500 feet, mostly below SNAKE IS A 7,000 feet and are very common. Colorado State University Extension . They occupy a variety of habitats www.ext.colostate.edu RATTLESNAKE? and most activity takes place on the ground or in burrows, but these capable climbers sometimes ascend Information and pictures for this brochure high into trees. were provided by: BULLSNAKE . Diet consists primarily of rodents and other small mammals or birds. The Colorado Division of Wildlife This makes them a welcome www.wildlife.state.co.us addition to any property. Bullsnakes are constrictors that kill their prey by simply squeezing them to death. There are over 30 different species of and spadefoot toads, and sometimes snakes coexisting with us in this . When threatened with danger they carrion. Prey are ambushed or wonderful state.
    [Show full text]