ANALYSIS OF PATTERNS OF AGGREGATION UNDER COVER OBJECTS IN AN ASSEMBLAGE OF SIX SPECIES OF SNAKES

摘要: Use of cover objects for hiding is a well developed behavior in reptiles, including snakes. Snakes sometimes aggregate under objects, which may reflect shortage suitable cover, very favorable conditions, social attraction, or simply chance. However, most studies aggregation have been conducted the laboratory. In this study, I investigated tendency six species snakes to rocks field southern Ontario, Canada. Most were by themselves, but found single- and mixed-species aggregations up four Although all involved aggregations, did not find possible combinations species; no more than two species. Goodness-of-fit tests suggested that pattern sizes was described geometric distribution, implying nonrandom toward aggregation. Nonetheless, because data pooled over time, random occurrence cannot be rule...