Snake capture and transmitter implantation
We found snakes for this study by scouting the study area in the winter
for possible hibernacula and suitable habitat. In March of 2016, eight
snakes (five males and three non-gravid females) were captured on top of
or near three separate hibernacula. These individuals were transported
to Southeastern Louisiana University where Wildlife Materials
International temperature-sensitive transmitters were implanted using
published methods approved by the Southeastern University IACUC (Reinert
and Cundall, 1982, IACUC Protocol #0035). The first three anterior
rattles were painted a unique color of finger nail polish to facilitate
visual identification. After surgery, each snake was given approximately
one week to recover in a secure enclosure with a hide box and water
bowl. Upon recovery, individuals were released at their original capture
sites. While tracking already implanted snakes, we captured an
additional male snake and a non-gravid female snake in May of 2016.
These snakes were collected, implanted with transmitters, and released
using the methods described above. On June 7, 2016, one of the female
snakes died for unknown reasons. The transmitter from this female was
implanted into a male found within the study area and subsequently
released. Observations of this individual began on June 15, 2016, and
ended on June 4, 2017. In addition, the transmitter signal of one of the
male snakes in the study was lost on December 8, 2016. This individual
was not recovered.
Data collected from the deceased female were not used in any statistical
analyses. Data collected from the lost male were not used for the
statistical analyses of annual movements, but data collected during
monthly intervals with full data sets were used in the statistical
analyses of seasonal behavior. At the end of the study, all snakes with
working transmitters were recaptured, brought back to Southeastern
Louisiana University for transmitter removal and released at capture
sites.