Phenology of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in an unglaciated section of the Appalachain Mountains
Martin WH. 1992. Phenology of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in an unglaciated section of the Appalachain Mountains. Pages 259-277. In Campbell JA and Brodie ED (ed). Biology of the Pitvipers. Selva; Texas Herpetological Society. Tyler, Texas
As part of a field study on the ecology and biology of the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), seasonal activity was documented over a17-yr period in an unglaciated section of the Appalachian Mountains centered in northwestern Virginia. Duration of hibernation averaged 6.7months. Sporadic basking usually began from late March to mid-April with general emergence from hibernation during late April or early May.Springtime observations of adults at the dens peaked on 6 May, 3 days ahead of that for young-of-the-year and juveniles 3 yrs old or less. Matingoccurred from late July to mid-September. Females spent gestation near favorably exposed rocks usually located within 500 m of over-wintering dens.Parturition occurred from August to early October. Postpartum females stayed with their litters 7-10 days, and neonates usually molted within 8-16days after birth and then dispersed. Peak ingress occurred from late September to mid-October. Various factors, including endogenous rhythms,short-term and long-term weather trends, and photo period, control and influence the different seasonal activities.
- Type
- Book Chapter
- Authors
- Martin, William
- Units
- SHEN
- Keywords
- Animal Communities (Wildlife), Animal Studies, appalachain, Mountains, Phenology, rattlesnake, Research Report, Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)