Influence of seasonality and gestation on habitat selection by northern Mexican gartersnakes (Thamnophis eques megalops).

ABSTRACT: Species conservation requires a thorough understanding of habitat requirements. The northern Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) was listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2014. Natural resource managers are interested in understanding the ecology of this subspecies to guide management decisions and to determine what features are necessary for habitat creation and restoration. Our objective was to identify habitat selection of northern Mexican gartersnakes in a highly managed, constructed wetland hatchery. We deployed transmitters on 42 individual gartersnakes and documented use of habitat types and selection of specific habitat features. Habitat selection was similar between males and females and varied seasonally. During the active season (March-October

SUBMITTER: Sprague TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5790243 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature