22nd Annual Student Research Conference
The Ecology of a Snake Community in Northern Missouri
Peter J. Muelleman
Dr. Chad Montgomery, Faculty Mentor
I surveyed the snake community on the property of Premium Standard Farms, Daviess County, near Trenton, Missouri, during the summer of 2008. The site surrounds a lake and consists of two main habitat types: hardwood forest and rocky field. I utilized visual encounter surveys to locate snakes opportunistically within the rocky field and forest habitats. I collected morphological data on each captured individual of each species. As part of the mark recapture study I marked individuals by PIT tagging or tail clip. I documented seven snake species, including the threatened Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). In addition I radio tracked two adult female timber rattlesnakes that gave birth and three offspring from each litter to determine if neonates follow their mother to overwintering dens.
Keywords: snakes, fauna, Missouri
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 39-1
Location: VH 1408
Time: 1:15