Ecology of the Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) at Rainey Slough, Florida: A Vanished Eden

摘要: Abstract: Eastern Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) are an important component and predator in herpetofaunal communities, but many Kingsnake populations have declined precipitously the last few decades, particularly southeastern United States. Here, we describe intensive capture–mark–recapture study of L. getula conducted during 1974–1978 a canal bank–Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) community at Rainey Slough southern Florida, where annual capture probabilities adults ranged from 0.662–0.787. Population size structure, seasonal activity, movements, microhabitat use, behavior, thermal ecology, predator–prey relationships described. At this site kingsnakes were susceptible to mostly winter spring, diurnal, used rodent (Sigmodon hispidus) burrows on banks as nocturnal retreats, emerged 13–26% sampling days. Overlap burrow use by both sexes was extensive with no evidence territoriality. readily...