DOCSLIB.ORG

The Dynamics of Human and Rattlesnake Conflict in Southern California Aaron Grant Corbit

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Dynamics of Human and Rattlesnake Conflict in Southern California Aaron Grant Corbit Loma Linda University TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects 8-2015 The Dynamics of Human and Rattlesnake Conflict in Southern California Aaron Grant Corbit Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Corbit, Aaron Grant, "The Dynamics of Human and Rattlesnake Conflict in Southern California" (2015). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 347. http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/347 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY School of Medicine in conjunction with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ____________________ The Dynamics of Human and Rattlesnake Conflict in Southern California by Aaron Grant Corbit ____________________ A Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Biology ____________________ September 2015 © 2015 Aaron Grant Corbit All Rights Reserved Each person whose signature appears below certifies that this dissertation in his/her opinion is adequate, in scope and quality, as a dissertation for the degree Doctor of Philosophy. , Chairperson William K. Hayes, Professor of Biology Leonard Brand, Professor of Biology and Paleontology Sean Bush, Professor of Emergency Medicine, East Carolina University Eric Dugan, Environmental Consultant, Dugan Biological Services Stephen G. Dunbar, Associate Professor of Biology Kerby Oberg, Professor of Pathology and Human Anatomy iii DEDICATION To God for sustaining me through difficult times. To my mother for instilling in me a love of the outdoors. To my father for cultivating in me a fascination with biology. To my children, Madeleine, Nathalie, and Ethan, who continue to inspire me and motivate me to do my best. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS There are many who have supported me through this doctoral journey. I firstly want to thank Bill Hayes for his constant support and encouragement and for not giving up on me despite some difficult personal issues I faced. Bill, I am continually impressed with your knowledge of the literature and your amazing ability to refine my half-baked scribblings into something publication worthy in a matter of minutes. I am truly thankful that you were my expert advisor and friend through this process. I thank Sean Bush for supporting my research financially and facilitating my review of medical records at Loma Linda University Medical Center. I thank Carl Person for instructing me in the finer points of rattlesnake handling and surgery and for being a good friend. Carl, I could not have done it without your help. I thank Josh Westeren and Sarang Yoon for their invaluable help getting my review of medical record study off the ground and for their time spent abstracting data. I also thank Erica Burck, Sara Carman, and Diana Romo for their help abstracting medical record data. I thank Gail Stewart for her expert help in determining how to adjust the standard snakebite severity score for use in children. I thank the current and former staff in the Loma Linda University Emergency Research Department, particularly, Ellen Reibling, Sarah Pearl, and Tammy Phan for cheerfully facilitating my medical record research. I thank all the homeowners in Loma Linda and Redlands who graciously allowed me into their backyards to chase rattlesnakes. v Finally, I must thank my parents for their all their support. Mom and Dad, your financial support made it possible for me to pursue my doctorate and support my family at the same time. Thanks so much for believing in me. vi CONTENT Approval Page .................................................................................................................... iii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments................................................................................................................v Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables ................................................................................................................... xiii List of Appendices .............................................................................................................xv List of Abbreviations ....................................................................................................... xvi Abstract ........................................................................................................................... xvii Chapter 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................1 Human-Wildlife Conflict ...................................................................................1 Human-Rattlesnake Conflict: Snakebite ............................................................2 Historical Attitudes toward Rattlesnakes ...........................................................4 Contemporary Attitudes toward Rattlesnakes ...................................................6 Mitigation of Human-Rattlesnake Conflict .......................................................7 Mitigation Translocation ....................................................................................8 Mitigation Translocation of Nuisance Rattlesnakes ........................................10 Specific Objectives ..........................................................................................11 References ........................................................................................................13 2. Rattlesnakes on the Edge: The Effect of Long- and Short-Distance Translocation on the Movement Patterns of Red Diamond Rattlesnakes (Crotalus ruber) in Conflict with Human Residential Development ....................20 Abstract ............................................................................................................21 Introduction ......................................................................................................22 Materials and Methods .....................................................................................29 Study Site ...................................................................................................29 Legal Issues ................................................................................................31 Radio-telemetry..........................................................................................32 vii Initial Translocation ...................................................................................33 Follow-up Translocation ............................................................................34 Activity Range and Movements.................................................................35 Distance to Human Modified Areas ..........................................................37 Statistical Analysis .....................................................................................37 Activity Range and Movement Analysis .............................................38 Survival Analysis .................................................................................39 Distance to Human-Modified Areas by Season ...................................40 Risk of Human Conflict and Return to Capture Site after Translocation........................................................................................40 Follow-up Translocations ....................................................................42 Results ..............................................................................................................42 Activity Ranges and Movements ...............................................................43 Survival ......................................................................................................47 Distance to SHM Areas by Season ............................................................50 Risk of Return to Human-modified Areas .................................................51 Risk of Return to Area of Capture after Translocation ..............................53 Follow-up Translocations ..........................................................................54 Discussion ........................................................................................................55 Translocation Effects on the Snake............................................................55 Risks Associated with Human-Snake Conflict ..........................................59 The Effect of Follow-up Translocations ....................................................61 Implications for Managing Nuisance Rattlesnakes....................................62 Conclusion .................................................................................................66
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Xenosaurus Tzacualtipantecus. the Zacualtipán Knob-Scaled Lizard Is Endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Eastern Mexico
    Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus. The Zacualtipán knob-scaled lizard is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of eastern Mexico. This medium-large lizard (female holotype measures 188 mm in total length) is known only from the vicinity of the type locality in eastern Hidalgo, at an elevation of 1,900 m in pine-oak forest, and a nearby locality at 2,000 m in northern Veracruz (Woolrich- Piña and Smith 2012). Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus is thought to belong to the northern clade of the genus, which also contains X. newmanorum and X. platyceps (Bhullar 2011). As with its congeners, X. tzacualtipantecus is an inhabitant of crevices in limestone rocks. This species consumes beetles and lepidopteran larvae and gives birth to living young. The habitat of this lizard in the vicinity of the type locality is being deforested, and people in nearby towns have created an open garbage dump in this area. We determined its EVS as 17, in the middle of the high vulnerability category (see text for explanation), and its status by the IUCN and SEMAR- NAT presently are undetermined. This newly described endemic species is one of nine known species in the monogeneric family Xenosauridae, which is endemic to northern Mesoamerica (Mexico from Tamaulipas to Chiapas and into the montane portions of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala). All but one of these nine species is endemic to Mexico. Photo by Christian Berriozabal-Islas. amphibian-reptile-conservation.org 01 June 2013 | Volume 7 | Number 1 | e61 Copyright: © 2013 Wilson et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Com- mons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use for non-com- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 7(1): 1–47.
    [Show full text]
  • (“Spider-Man”) Cr
    PRIVILEGED ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LICENSE AGREEMENT (“SPIDER-MAN”) CREATIVE ISSUES This memo summarizes certain terms of the Second Amended and Restated License Agreement (“Spider-Man”) between SPE and Marvel, effective September 15, 2011 (the “Agreement”). 1. CHARACTERS AND OTHER CREATIVE ELEMENTS: a. Exclusive to SPE: . The “Spider-Man” character, “Peter Parker” and essentially all existing and future alternate versions, iterations, and alter egos of the “Spider- Man” character. All fictional characters, places structures, businesses, groups, or other entities or elements (collectively, “Creative Elements”) that are listed on the attached Schedule 6. All existing (as of 9/15/11) characters and other Creative Elements that are “Primarily Associated With” Spider-Man but were “Inadvertently Omitted” from Schedule 6. The Agreement contains detailed definitions of these terms, but they basically conform to common-sense meanings. If SPE and Marvel cannot agree as to whether a character or other creative element is Primarily Associated With Spider-Man and/or were Inadvertently Omitted, the matter will be determined by expedited arbitration. All newly created (after 9/15/11) characters and other Creative Elements that first appear in a work that is titled or branded with “Spider-Man” or in which “Spider-Man” is the main protagonist (but not including any team- up work featuring both Spider-Man and another major Marvel character that isn’t part of the Spider-Man Property). The origin story, secret identities, alter egos, powers, costumes, equipment, and other elements of, or associated with, Spider-Man and the other Creative Elements covered above. The story lines of individual Marvel comic books and other works in which Spider-Man or other characters granted to SPE appear, subject to Marvel confirming ownership.
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded April 22, 2006
    SIX DECADES OF GUIDED MUNITIONS AND BATTLE NETWORKS: PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS Barry D. Watts Thinking Center for Strategic Smarter and Budgetary Assessments About Defense www.csbaonline.org Six Decades of Guided Munitions and Battle Networks: Progress and Prospects by Barry D. Watts Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments March 2007 ABOUT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND BUDGETARY ASSESSMENTS The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) is an independent, nonprofit, public policy research institute established to make clear the inextricable link between near-term and long- range military planning and defense investment strategies. CSBA is directed by Dr. Andrew F. Krepinevich and funded by foundations, corporations, government, and individual grants and contributions. This report is one in a series of CSBA analyses on the emerging military revolution. Previous reports in this series include The Military-Technical Revolution: A Preliminary Assessment (2002), Meeting the Anti-Access and Area-Denial Challenge (2003), and The Revolution in War (2004). The first of these, on the military-technical revolution, reproduces the 1992 Pentagon assessment that precipitated the 1990s debate in the United States and abroad over revolutions in military affairs. Many friends and professional colleagues, both within CSBA and outside the Center, have contributed to this report. Those who made the most substantial improvements to the final manuscript are acknowledged below. However, the analysis and findings are solely the responsibility of the author and CSBA. 1667 K Street, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 331-7990 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEGEMENTS .................................................. v SUMMARY ............................................................... ix GLOSSARY ………………………………………………………xix I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................... 1 Guided Munitions: Origins in the 1940s............. 3 Cold War Developments and Prospects ............
    [Show full text]
  • Patterns in Protein Components Present in Rattlesnake Venom: a Meta-Analysis
    Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 1 September 2020 doi:10.20944/preprints202009.0012.v1 Article Patterns in Protein Components Present in Rattlesnake Venom: A Meta-Analysis Anant Deshwal1*, Phuc Phan2*, Ragupathy Kannan3, Suresh Kumar Thallapuranam2,# 1 Division of Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 3 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, Arkansas # Correspondence: [email protected] * These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: The specificity and potency of venom components gives them a unique advantage in development of various pharmaceutical drugs. Though venom is a cocktail of proteins rarely is the synergy and association between various venom components studied. Understanding the relationship between various components is critical in medical research. Using meta-analysis, we found underlying patterns and associations in the appearance of the toxin families. For Crotalus, Dis has the most associations with the following toxins: PDE; BPP; CRL; CRiSP; LAAO; SVMP P-I & LAAO; SVMP P-III and LAAO. In Sistrurus venom CTL and NGF had most associations. These associations can be used to predict presence of proteins in novel venom and to understand synergies between venom components for enhanced bioactivity. Using this approach, the need to revisit classification of proteins as major components or minor components is highlighted. The revised classification of venom components needs to be based on ubiquity, bioactivity, number of associations and synergies. The revised classification will help in increased research on venom components such as NGF which have high medical importance. Keywords: Rattlesnake; Crotalus; Sistrurus; Venom; Toxin; Association Key Contribution: This article explores the patterns of appearance of venom components of two rattlesnake genera: Crotalus and Sistrurus to determine the associations between toxin families.
    [Show full text]
  • SQUAMATA: Vlperldae Crotalus Ruber
    840.1 REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: VlPERlDAE Crotalus ruber Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Beaman, K.R. and E.A. Dugan. 2006. Crotalus ruber. Crotalus ruber Cope Red Diamond Rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus atrox: Cope 1875:33 (part). Crotalus exsul: Garman 1884 [dated 1883]:114. Crotalus adamanteus ruber Cope 1892:690. Type- locality not given, restricted to "Dulzura, San Diego County, California," by Smith and Taylor (1950). Holotype, National Museum of Natural History (USNM) 9209, adult male, collector and date of collection not given (not examined by authors). Crotalus atrox ruber: Stejneger 1895:439. Crotalus rube^ Van Denburgh 1896: 1007. Figure 1. Crotalus ruberfrom Chino Hills State Park, Crotalus lucasensis Van Denburgh 1920:29. Type- San Bernardino County, California, USA (above); locality, "Agua Caliente, Cape Region of Lower Crotalus ruberfrom the Jacumba Mountains, Imperial [Baja] California, Mexico." Holotype, California County, California, USA (below). Photographs by Academy of Sciences (CAS) 45888, adult male, E.A. Dugan. collected by J.R. Slevin on 26 July 1919. Crotalus atrox lucasensis Schmidt 1922:698. Crotalus atrox elegans Schmidt 1922:699. Type- locality, "Angel de la Guardia Island, Gulf of Cali- fornia" [Mexico]. Holotype, National Museum of Natural History (USNM) 64452, age and sex not given, collected by C.H. Townsend on 10 April 1911. Crotalus exsul ruber: Kallert 1927:372. Crotalus ruber ruber: Klauber 194959. Crotalus ruber lucasensis Klauber 194959. Crotalus ruber lorenzoensis Radcliffe and Maslin 1975:490. Type-locality, "San Lorenzo Sur Island in the Gulf of California, Baja California Norte, Mexico." Holotype, San Diego Society of Natural History (SDSNH) 46009, adult male, collected by C.E.
    [Show full text]
  • HERP. G66 A7 Uhiumiiy B{ Koiifttu
    HERP. QL G66 .06 A7 The UHiumiiy b{ Koiifttu Wtmm «i Hobiuit Kiftto'uf HARVARD UNIVERSITY G Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS PUBLICATIONS MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Copies of publications may be obtained from the Publications Secretary, Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas, Law- rence, Kansas 66045 Price for this number: $6.00 postpaid Front cover: The subspecies of the ridgenose rattlesnake C. iv. (Crotalus willardi). Clockwise, starting from the upper left, amahilis, C. w. meridionalis, C. w. silus, and C. w. willardi. All photographs by Joseph T. Collins, with the cooperation of the Dallas Zoo. University of Kansas Museum of Natural History Special Publication No. 5 December 14, 1979 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF MEXICAN RATTLESNAKES By BARRY L. ARMSTRONG Research Associate and JAMES B. MURPHY Curator Department of Herpetology Dallas Zoo 621 East Clarendon Drive Dallas, Texas 75203 University of Kansas Lawrence 1979 University of Kansas Publications Museum of Natural History Editor: E. O. Wiley Co-editor: Joseph T. Collins Special Publication No. 5 pp. 1-88; 43 figures 2 tables Published 14 December 1979 MUS. COMP. ZOO' MAY 1 7 IPR? HARVARD Copyrighted 1979 UNIVERSITY By Museum of Natural History University of Kansas '~\ Lawrence, Kansas 66045 U.S.A. Printed By University of Kansas Printing Service Lawrence, Kansas ISBN: 0-89338-010-5 To Jonathan A. Campbell for his encouragement *?;:»:j>.^ ,_.. = -V-.^. ^4^4 PREFACE Beginning in November, 1966, studies on rattlesnakes (genera Crotalus and Sistrurus) and other pit vipers were initiated at the Dallas Zoo which included techniques for maintenance and disease treatments, in conjunction with observations on captive and wild populations.
    [Show full text]
  • (Crotalus Oreganus Helleri) Hunting Behavior Through Community Science
    diversity Article Quantifying Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri) Hunting Behavior through Community Science Emily R. Urquidi * and Breanna J. Putman Department of Biology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: It is increasingly important to study animal behaviors as these are the first responses organisms mount against environmental changes. Rattlesnakes, in particular, are threatened by habitat loss and human activity, and require costly tracking by researchers to quantify the behaviors of wild individuals. Here, we show how photo-vouchered observations submitted by community members can be used to study cryptic predators like rattlesnakes. We utilized two platforms, iNaturalist and HerpMapper, to study the hunting behaviors of wild Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes. From 220 observation photos, we quantified the direction of the hunting coil (i.e., “handedness”), microhabitat use, timing of observations, and age of the snake. With these data, we looked at whether snakes exhibited an ontogenetic shift in behaviors. We found no age differences in coil direction. However, there was a difference in the microhabitats used by juveniles and adults while hunting. We also found that juveniles were most commonly observed during the spring, while adults were more consistently observed throughout the year. Overall, our study shows the potential of using Citation: Urquidi, E.R.; Putman, B.J. community science to study the behaviors of cryptic predators. Quantifying Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus helleri) Keywords: citizen science; conservation; ontogeny; behavioral lateralization; snakes Hunting Behavior through Community Science. Diversity 2021, 13, 349. https://doi.org/10.3390/ d13080349 1.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Version Added in ARL #2593 Publisher Product Version 3Dconnexion Picture Viewer 1.0 4-Sight Fax Project, the 4-Sight Fax 7.5 A.N.D
    List of Version Added in ARL #2593 Publisher Product Version 3Dconnexion Picture Viewer 1.0 4-Sight Fax Project, The 4-Sight Fax 7.5 A.N.D. Technologies Pcounter 2.87 ABB PROMOD IV 11.3 ABB PEL - CAPRE Unspecified ABB PEL - CValve 2.5 ABB PEL Fluid Flow Framework Unspecified ABB PEL Fenske 2.4 ABB PEL Flonet 2016 ABB PEL Launcher 22.0 ABB PEL Logidraw 4.0 ABB PEL Packing 2.5 ABB PEL PEW 4.4 ABB PEL PhysPack 4.2 ABB PEL ProvueDB 4.3 ABB PEL ProvueDBNetDesktop 1.2 ABB PEL VisualAdrian 2.2 ABB PEL VisualFlonet 1.5 ABB PEL VisualLogidraw Unspecified ABB PEL VisualPiper 1.3 ABB RTUtil500 12.2 Ableton Live 9.0 Access for All Foundation PDF Accessibility Checker 3 AccessData FTK Imager 4.5 AccessData Forensic Toolkit 3.2 AccessData Forensic Toolkit 5.5 AccessData Forensic Toolkit 6.2 AccessData Forensic Toolkit 6.4 ACT Productions Brightness Slider 1.2 Adivo TechWriter 2012 Adobe Media Encoder CC (2021) Adobe Character Animator CC (2021) Adobe After Effects CC (2021) Adobe Prelude CC (2021) Adobe Premiere Pro CC (2021) Adobe Audition CC (2021) Adobe LogTransport 2.9 Adobe LogTransport 4.4 Adobe LogTransport 4.5 Adobe LogTransport 4.6 Adobe Crash Reporter 2.9 Adobe Crash Reporter 4.4 Adobe Crash Reporter 4.5 Adobe Crash Reporter 4.6 Adobe DNG Converter 12.1 Adobe Dynamic Link Media Server 14.0 Adobe Dynamic Link Media Server 2020 Adobe AcroTray 15.20 Adobe AcroTray 20.13 Adobe CineRenderAE 17.0 AdoptOpenJDK Java Runtime Environment with Hotspot 14.0 AdoptOpenJDK Open Java Development Kit 15.0 Adrian Granados WiFi Signal 4.4 Advanced Conveyor
    [Show full text]
  • Toxicological Comparison of Crotalus Ruber Lucasensis Venom from Different Ecoregions of the Baja California Peninsula
    Toxicon 187 (2020) 111–115 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Toxicon journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/toxicon Short communication Toxicological comparison of Crotalus ruber lucasensis venom from different ecoregions of the Baja California Peninsula Ivan´ Fernando Pozas-Ocampo a, Alejandro Carbajal-Saucedo b, Ana Bertha Gatica-Colima c, Amaury Cordero-Tapia a, Gustavo Arnaud-Franco a,* a Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas´ Del Noroeste SC, Instituto Polit´ecnico Nacional, #195 Col. Playa Palo Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, BCS, CP 23096, Mexico b ISBI Biosciences S.C, Alta Tension´ #4, Huitzilac, Morelos, CP 62510, Mexico c Universidad Autonoma´ de Ciudad Juarez,´ Instituto de Ciencias Biom´edicas, Anillo Envolvente Del PRONAF y Estocolmo, S/n. Ciudad Juarez,´ Chihuahua, CP 32310, Mexico ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: The Baja California Peninsula possesses a mosaic of ecoregions that offers a wide variety of environments for the Red diamond rattlesnake species that here inhabit. Here we report biological variations in. Toxicology Crotalus ruber lucasensis venom from arid, semiarid and tropical eco-regions. Lethal (1.4–6.8 mg/kg), ede­ Venom matogenic (0.3–0.5 μg) and defibrinogenating (from non-detectable to 20 μg) activities were found to have Hemorrhage significant differences among eco-regions. Edema PLA2 Snake venoms of the Viperidae family are composed of a complex of the arid Magdalena Plains eco-region (MP); El Comitan,´ representa­ mixture of proteins (Calvete et al., 2010; Kang et al., 2011; Mackessy, tive of semiarid Central Gulf Coast (CGC), and; Santiago, representative 2008), which may vary at an inter- and intra-specific level, which is a of tropical Cape Deciduous Forest (CDF).
    [Show full text]
  • Feeding Ecology of the Endemic Rattleless Rattlesnake, Crotalus Catalinensis, of Santa Catalina Island, Gulf of California, Mexico
    Copeia, 2007(1), pp. 80–84 Feeding Ecology of the Endemic Rattleless Rattlesnake, Crotalus catalinensis, of Santa Catalina Island, Gulf of California, Mexico HE´ CTOR AVILA-VILLEGAS,MARCIO MARTINS, AND GUSTAVO ARNAUD Crotalus catalinensis is a rattleless rattlesnake endemic to Santa Catalina Island, in the Gulf of California, Mexico. It has been hypothesized that the lack of a rattle in this species is a stealth adaptation for hunting birds in vegetation. We provide detailed data on the diet of C. catalinensis from samples obtained during nine trips to the island in 2002–2004. Over two-thirds (70%) of the diet of C. catalinensis was composed of the Santa Catalina Deer Mouse (Peromyscus slevini). The remaining prey were lizards (Dipsosaurus catalinensis, Uta squamata, and Sceloporus lineatulus). There was an ontogenetic shift in diet and higher feeding activity during the dry season. The diet of this species is only a small subset of the diet of its supposed closest relative, C. ruber, probably as a result of limited diversity of prey on the island. The lack of birds in the diet of C. catalinensis argues against the supposed importance of birds as an essential feature for the hypothesis relating the lack of a rattle with a stealth hunting technique for birds in vegetation. However, since P. slevini is partially arboreal, there remains the possibility that the lack of a rattle is an adaptation for stealth hunting for mice in vegetation. HE rattleless rattlesnake, Crotalus catalinensis, Catalina Leaf-Toed Gecko, Phyllodactylus bugastrole- T is endemic to Santa Catalina Island, in the pis. Avila-Villegas et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Venomous Reptiles of Nevada
    Venomous Reptiles of Nevada Figure 1 The buzz from a rattlesnake can signal a heart stopping adventure to even the most experienced outdoor enthusiast. Figure 2 Authors M. L. Robinson, Area Specialist, Water/Environmental Horticulture, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Polly M. Conrad, Wildlife Diversity Biologist—Reptiles, Nevada Department of Wildlife Maria M. Ryan, Area Specialist, Natural Resources, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Updated from G. Mitchell, M.L. Robinson, D.B. Hardenbrook and E.L. Sellars. 1998. What’s the Buzz About Nevada’s Venomous Reptiles? University of Nevada Cooperative Extension—Nevada Department of Wildlife Partnership Publication. FS-98-35. SP 07-07 (Replaces FS-98-35) NEVADA’S REPTILES Approximately 52 species of snakes and lizards share the Nevada landscape with us. Of these, only 12 are considered venomous. Only 6 can be dangerous to people and pets. Encountering them is uncommon because of their body camouflage and secretive nature, which are their first defenses in evading predators. Consider yourself fortunate if you do see one! As with all wildlife, treat venomous reptiles with respect. Reptiles are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature increases or decreases in response to the surrounding environment. They are most active in the spring, summer and early fall when it’s comfortable, short sleeve weather for us. Reptiles usually hibernate, or brumate, in winter in response to colder temperatures. During high summer temperatures in the Mojave Desert, reptiles may spend time underground in order to maintain vital body temperatures. In most cases*, collecting Nevada’s native reptiles is not allowed without the appropriate permit, which is issued by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
    [Show full text]
  • BMGR-W Small Mammal, Reptile, Amphibian Brochure
    CONSERVING THE LANDSCAPE For additional information regarding REPTILES, AMPHIBIANS, & AND THE DOD MISSION reptiles, amphibians, and small As the manager and primary user of the SMALL MAMMALS OF THE 700k acre Barry M. Goldwater Range mammals or for general inquires West (BMGR-W), the U.S. Marine Corps regarding natural resources BMGR-W (USMC) is responsible for maintaining management on the BMGR-W, please MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA the ecological integrity of the range, while simultaneously providing a realis- contact the Range Management tic training environment for our nation’s Department: warfighters. Additionally, the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 and the Sikes Act mandates that the USMC de- velop and adhere to an Integrated Natu- ral Resources Management Plan (INRMP) which “includes provisions for proper management and protection of the natural and cultural resources of the range, and for sustainable use by the public of such resources to the extent consistent with military purposes.” The INRMP for the BMGR-W requires that baseline surveys for small mammals, MCAS Yuma/Range Management Dept. reptiles, and amphibians be established so that natural resource managers may P.O. Box 99134/BLDG. 151 determine how best to allocate efforts Yuma, AZ 85369-9134 to protect these resources. The infor- mation presented in this brochure is a product of that objective and is being Phone: 928-269-3402 provided to increase public awareness and enhance the visitor experience. Small Mammals Continued: Amphibians : Reptiles (Snakes): □ Rock Squirrel,
    [Show full text]