Project Title

Behavioral Correlates of Overwintering Site Selection in a Southeastern Population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)

Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)

Dominic DeSantis

Abstract

Studies of temperate snake behavioral ecology are historically focused on the active season. However, behavior during the winter inactive period also carries significant fitness consequences. Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) occur across a wide latitudinal gradient, ranging from New York to Florida. However, as is the case for most temperate snakes, very little is known on the overwintering behavior and ecology for this species outside of northern and montane portions of their distribution. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by capitalizing on a unique southeastern population of C. horridus from the Piedmont of Georgia, USA, wherein solitary and communal overwintering site use is observed at comparable frequencies. We will use a novel combination of remote videography, radio telemetry, and accelerometry to evaluate associations between winter shelter type and rattlesnake behavior from two perspectives; migratory distance (radio telemetry) to overwintering site, basking frequency (remote videography), and activity level (accelerometry) during the overwintering periods (November-April) in 2022 and 2023. Our aim is to explore the relative behavioral trade-offs associated with communal and solitary overwintering strategies in this population, and we intend to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the causes and consequences of variability in overwintering site selection in temperate snake populations.

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Behavioral Correlates of Overwintering Site Selection in a Southeastern Population of Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)

Studies of temperate snake behavioral ecology are historically focused on the active season. However, behavior during the winter inactive period also carries significant fitness consequences. Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) occur across a wide latitudinal gradient, ranging from New York to Florida. However, as is the case for most temperate snakes, very little is known on the overwintering behavior and ecology for this species outside of northern and montane portions of their distribution. We aim to fill this knowledge gap by capitalizing on a unique southeastern population of C. horridus from the Piedmont of Georgia, USA, wherein solitary and communal overwintering site use is observed at comparable frequencies. We will use a novel combination of remote videography, radio telemetry, and accelerometry to evaluate associations between winter shelter type and rattlesnake behavior from two perspectives; migratory distance (radio telemetry) to overwintering site, basking frequency (remote videography), and activity level (accelerometry) during the overwintering periods (November-April) in 2022 and 2023. Our aim is to explore the relative behavioral trade-offs associated with communal and solitary overwintering strategies in this population, and we intend to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the causes and consequences of variability in overwintering site selection in temperate snake populations.