Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


osu1124103060.pdf (2.16 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Mate-location behavior of Timber (Crotalus horridus) and Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) Rattlesnakes

Coupe, Bradford Houston
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1124103060

Abstract Details

2005, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
For many animals mate location is a matter of following widely broadcast signals (e.g., visual, auditory) to the signaler. However, due to their morphology or habitat many animals are not able to broadcast signals widely. In these cases little is known about the methods used in mate location. I discuss three hypothesized mate-location methods potentially used in these situations by timber (Crotalus horridus) and sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) rattlesnakes. (1) It has been suggested that scent-trailing of lipid-based pheromones left by females is an integral part of snake mate location. (2) Because many snakes are long-lived (some >25 years) and have a capacity for spatial memory, it is likely that males can use prior experience to remember female locations. (3) Males might use an efficient search strategy by moving in a pattern that will maximize their chances of encountering a female. A fourth method, males patrolling their home range for females, is suggested by movements made by some male sidewinders. Individuals of both species were tracked using radiotelemetry. I describe the movements made by males that brought them in contact with females. I also discuss various aspects of sidewinder spatial biology and their relevance to mate-location methods. In addition, I developed an individual-based, spatially explicit simulation of mate-location methods using parameters appropriate for sidewinders. Each hypothesized mate-location method is compatible with at least some of the data. As sidewinder males were able to follow female trails for >100 m, it is clear that trail following is an important mate-location method that is likely used in conjunction with the other methods. Thus, I think males are searching for female trails rather than for females themselves. In the model, both prior experience (with map-and-compass navigation) and efficient searching (straight-line) performed well, with males having a >40% chance of finding a female during a search. Timber and sidewinder males might use different mate-location methods as many sidewinder movements did not appear as directed as those of timbers.
Thomas Hetherington (Advisor)
141 p.
timber rattlesnake; Crotalus horridus; sidewinder rattlesnake; Crotalus cerastes; mate-location behavior; mate-search behavior; spatial ecology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Coupe, B. H. (2005). Mate-location behavior of Timber (Crotalus horridus) and Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) Rattlesnakes [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1124103060

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Coupe, Bradford. Mate-location behavior of Timber (Crotalus horridus) and Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) Rattlesnakes. 2005. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1124103060.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Coupe, Bradford. "Mate-location behavior of Timber (Crotalus horridus) and Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) Rattlesnakes." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2005. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1124103060

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1124103060
2,427
© 2005, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.