The Vernal Spatial Ecology and Mating Behaviors of the Rhombic Skaapsteker, Psammophylax rhombeatus rhombeatus (Serpentes: Psammophiidae), from the Western Cape, South Africa

摘要: We used radiotelemetry to investigate the movement patterns of nine Psammophylax rhombeatus during spring 2006 on west coast South Africa. Snakes were average tracked for 28 days and relocated twice per day. For each snake we calculated vernal home range size using minimum convex polygons, 50 95% isopleths. These data show that male snakes moved significantly greater distances, had larger ranges (average MCP  =  2.219 ha males 0.619 ha females), thus more active than female snakes. Telemetered displayed non-overlapping activity zones. Skaapstekers exhibited most from 0900–1700 h in ambient temperatures 19°C. Overall these are consistent with reports other active-foraging mating season; however, it is possible characteristics vary across seasons populations this wide-ranging species. Conspecific interactions observed study also provide insight into matin...