Anthropogenic Disturbance Affects Movement and Increases Concealment in Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox)
The effects of human disturbance on movements and concealment behavior of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) were studied at the Arizona–Sonora Desert Museum near Tucson, Arizona. We predicted that C. atrox would move more frequently and greater distances, and show higher degrees of concealment in disturbed areas when compared to undisturbed areas. Twenty-five rattlesnakes were equipped with radio-transmitters between July 2005 and September 2011. During the active season, but excluding the mating season, C. atrox were less likely to move while in highly disturbed areas than when they were in undisturbed areas. During the mating season, however, C. atrox were significantly more likely to move while in highly disturbed areas than when they were in undisturbed areas. During the inactive season, disturbance had no significant effect on the probability of movement. In all seasons, C. atrox were more likely to be concealed in highly disturbed areas.Abstract
Arizona–Sonora Desert Museum, in Arizona, USA, the site for studying effects of anthropogenic disturbance on Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes.
Mean distance moved (m, dark line) and 95% confidence intervals (CI, pale lines) for each week of the year. Seasons are represented by colored boxes. The inactive season is represented by a white box (20 October–30 March), the two mating seasons are represented by light gray boxes (31 March–25 May; 18 August–19 October), and the active season outside of the mating season is represented by a dark gray box (25 May–17 August).
Probability of movement (0 = no movement, 1 = movement) by Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes near Tucson, Arizona as disturbance increases from level 1 to level 4. Probabilities of movement are plotted separately for the active season outside of the mating season, for the inactive season, and for the mating season.
Probability of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes near Tucson, Arizona being visible (0 = concealed, 1 = visible) as disturbance increases from level 1 to level 4. Probabilities of being visible are plotted separately for the active season outside of the mating season, for the inactive season, and for the mating season.
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