Movement and Life History Aspects of the Pygmy Rattlesnake in Southwest Missouri

Individual pygmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius) (N=7) were monitored with radiotelemetry in Christian and Taney Counties of southwest Missouri. Snakes were tracked for periods of 11-73 days and a total of 264 tracking days. Males exhibited significantly greater (P ﹥ 0.05) movement than females and non-gravid individuals displayed significantly more (P ﹥ 0.05) movement than gravid individuals. Except for tail length, S. miliarius exhibits little sexual dimorphism. Pygmy rattlesnakes feed mainly on small squamates but also prey on small mammals. Pygmy rattlesnakes are viviparous and also prey on small mammals. Pygmy rattlesnakes are viviparous and appear to be on a biennial reproductive cycle. Adult snakes are easily maintained in captivity and adult males exhibited higher average food conversion efficiency growth rates than adult females.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1988

Author dc:creator

• Holder, Thomas L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Don Moll

• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• © Thomas L Holder

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/128

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1129