Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) in Eastern Texas

Josh B. Pierce; Robert R. Fleet; Lance McBrayer; D. Craig Rudolph

doi:10.1656/1528-7092(2008)7[359:UOTBTT]2.0.CO;2

Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) in Eastern Texas

Josh B. Pierce, Robert R. Fleet, Lance McBrayer, D. Craig Rudolph

Biology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation.

Original language	American English
Journal	Southeastern Naturalist
Volume	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1656/1528-7092(2008)7[359:UOTBTT]2.0.CO;2
State	Published - Jan 1 2008

Keywords

Eastern Texas
Elaphe obsoleta
Texas Ratsnake
Trees

DC Disciplines

Biology
Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology

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10.1656/1528-7092(2008)7[359:UOTBTT]2.0.CO;2License: Unspecified

Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (<em>Elaphe obsoleta</em>) inFinal published version, 899 KBLicense: Unspecified

https://doi.org/10.1656/1528-7092(2008)7[359:UOTBTT]2.0.CO;2

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title = "Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) in Eastern Texas",

abstract = "We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation.",

keywords = "Eastern Texas, Elaphe obsoleta, Texas Ratsnake, Trees",

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AU - McBrayer, Lance

AU - Rudolph, D. Craig

PY - 2008/1/1

Y1 - 2008/1/1

N2 - We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation.

AB - We present information on the use of trees by Elaphe obsoleta (Texas Ratsnake) in a mesic pine-hardwood forest in eastern Texas. Using radiotelemetry, seven snakes (3 females, 4 males) were relocated a total of 363 times from April 2004 to May 2005, resulting in 201 unique locations. Snakes selected trees containing cavities and used hardwoods and snags for a combined 95% of arboreal locations. Texas Ratsnake arboreal activity peaked during July and August, well after the peak of avian breeding activity, suggesting arboreal activity involves factors other than avian predation.

KW - Eastern Texas

KW - Elaphe obsoleta

KW - Texas Ratsnake

KW - Trees

UR - https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/biology-facpubs/106

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DO - 10.1656/1528-7092(2008)7[359:UOTBTT]2.0.CO;2

M3 - Article

SN - 1528-7092

VL - 7

JO - Southeastern Naturalist

JF - Southeastern Naturalist

ER -

Use of Trees by the Texas Ratsnake (Elaphe obsoleta) in Eastern Texas

Abstract

Keywords

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