Effects of fragmentation on the spatial ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
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Abstract
We investigated the spatial ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) in unfragmented and fragmented habitat with varying patch sizes and degrees of exposure to urban edges. We radiotracked 34 Kingsnakes for up to 3 yr across four site types: interior areas of unfragmented ecological reserves, the urbanized edge of these reserves, large habitat fragments, and small habitat fragments. There was no relationship between California Kingsnake movements and the degree of exposure to urban edges and fragmentation. Home range size and movement patterns of Kingsnakes on edges and fragments resembled those in unfragmented sites. Average home-range size on each site type was smaller than the smallest fragment in which snakes were tracked. The persistence of California Kingsnakes in fragmented landscapes may be related directly to their small spatial movement patterns, home-range overlap, and ability to use urban edge habitat.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Effects of fragmentation on the spatial ecology of the California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) |
| Series title | Journal of Herpetology |
| DOI | 10.1670/13-014 |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles |
| Publisher location | Athens, OH |
| Contributing office(s) | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 420 |
| Last page | 427 |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |