Temperature patterns of rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) at Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Graham TB, Persons T, Schaedla W, Moore D. 1992. Temperature patterns of rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) at Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 73(2):191
Temperature sensitive radios were implanted in 11 Crotalus viridis over three years. Body temperatures averaged 22.5 degrees C +/- 7.1 (range 18.4-26.7 degrees C). Substrate temperature best predicted body temperature; air temperature also played a role in determining body temperature for many snakes. An incubating female in 1990 maintained a higher and more constant body temperature than any other snake over the three years, including her own temperature in 1989. Body temperatures were low relative to preferred temperatures reported for C. viridis and many other snakes. Except during gestation, rattlesnakes at Natural Bridges apparently sacrifice high body temperatures to meet other physiological needs.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Graham, Tim; Persons, Trevor; Schaedla, William; Moore, Donald
- Units
- NABR
- Keywords
- Crotalus viridis (Western Rattlesnake), Ecology, IAR, Reptiles, Reptilia (Reptiles), Squamata, Temperature, Viperidae (Pit Vipers Vipers)