Eliciting a predatory response in the eastern corn snake (<i>Pantherophis guttatus</i>) using live and inanimate sensory stimuli: implications for managing invasive populations

Worthington-Hill, John; Yarnell, Richard W.; Gentle, Louise K.

doi:10.1080/09670874.2014.953230

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Accordingly, scents derived from domestic rabbits in the form of feces, urine, and hair may provide a viable alternative to live lures. As an example, Worthington-Hill, Yarnell & Gentle (2014) found no difference between corn snakes’ attraction to a live mouse lure and the scent from soiled mouse bedding. Snakes also sense and can be attracted to heat and its infrared radiation ( Gracheva et al, 2010 ; Bakken et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Thus, it may be possible to attract snakes from heat sources that emit heat in the range of their prey ( Bakken et al, 2018 ). Moving and vibrating prey replicas ( Worthington-Hill, Yarnell & Gentle, 2014 ) may also attract snakes ( Haverly & Kardong, 1996 ), as movement and vibrations ( Young & Morain, 2002 ) are an important means for snakes to identify prey. Finally, there is some evidence that suggests prey cues from inanimate objects are more effective snake lures when they are used together ( Shivik, 1998 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mammalian lures monitored with time-lapse cameras increase detection of pythons and other snakes

McCampbell,

Spencer,

Hart

et al. 2024

PeerJ

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Background Enhancing detection of cryptic snakes is critical for the development of conservation and management strategies; yet, finding methods that provide adequate detection remains challenging. Issues with detecting snakes can be particularly problematic for some species, like the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the Florida Everglades. Methods Using multiple survey methods, we predicted that our ability to detect pythons, larger snakes and all other snakes would be enhanced with the use of live mammalian lures (domesticated rabbits; Oryctolagus cuniculus). Specifically, we used visual surveys, python detection dogs, and time-lapse game cameras to determine if domesticated rabbits were an effective lure. Results Time-lapse game cameras detected almost 40 times more snakes (n = 375, treatment = 245, control = 130) than visual surveys (n = 10). We recorded 21 independent detections of pythons at treatment pens (with lures) and one detection at a control pen (without lures). In addition, we found larger snakes, and all other snakes were 165% and 74% more likely to be detected at treatment pens compared to control pens, respectively. Time-lapse cameras detected almost 40 times more snakes than visual surveys; we did not detect any pythons with python detection dogs. Conclusions Our study presents compelling evidence that the detection of snakes is improved by coupling live mammalian lures with time-lapse game cameras. Although the identification of smaller snake species was limited, this was due to pixel resolution, which could be improved by changing the camera focal length. For larger snakes with individually distinctive patterns, this method could potentially be used to identify unique individuals and thus allow researchers to estimate population dynamics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mammalian lures monitored with time-lapse cameras increase detection of pythons and other snakes

McCampbell,

Spencer,

Hart

et al. 2024

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…However, snakes may rely primarily on chemical reception when foraging (Worthington‐Hill et al. ) and may be motivated to pursue nests detected outside the fence perimeter, whereas skunk predation of ground‐nesting birds may be incidental while foraging for invertebrate prey (Vickery et al. ) and the fences may effectively deflect skunks prior to detection of nests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exclosure fences around nests of imperiled Florida Grasshopper Sparrows reduce rates of predation by mammals

2019

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Increasing nest survival by excluding predators is a goal of many bird conservation programs. However, new exclosure projects should be carefully evaluated to assess the potential risks of disturbance. We tested the effectiveness of predator exclosure fences (hereafter, fences) for nests of critically endangered Florida Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus) at a dry prairie site (Three Lakes; 2015-2018) and a pasture site (the Ranch;-2016 in Osceola County, Florida, USA. We installed fences at nests an average of 8 days after the start of incubation, and nest abandonment after fence installation was rare (2 of 149 installations). Predation was the leading cause of failure for unfenced nests at both sites (48-73%). At Three Lakes, nest cameras revealed that mammals and snakes were responsible for 61.5% and 38.5% of predation events, respectively, at unfenced nests. Fences reduced the daily probability of predation (0.016 for fenced nests vs. 0.074 for unfenced nests). The probability that a fenced nest would survive from discovery to fledging was more than double that of unfenced nests (60.4% vs. 27.7%). However, we found no difference in daily nest survival at the Ranch between the year before nests were fenced (2015; 0.874) and the year when all but one nest were fenced (2016; 0.867) because red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) were responsible for 86% of predation events at fenced nests at the Ranch. The use of cameras at fenced nests revealed that site-specific differences in nest predators explained variation in fence efficiency between sites. Our fence design may be useful for other species of grassland birds, but site-specific predator communities and species-specific response of target bird species to fences should be assessed before installing fences at other sites. RESUMEN.Cercas de exclusi on alrededor de nidos de Ammodramus savannarum floridianus en riesgo disminuyen las tasas de depredaci on por mam ıferos Incrementar la supervivencia de los nidos mediante la exclusi on de depredadores es uno de los objetivos de muchos programas de conservaci on de aves. Sin embargo, nuevos proyectos de exclusi on deben ser evaluados cuidadosamente para determinar el riesgo potencial del disturbio. Evaluamos la efectividad de cercas excluyentes de depredadores (cercas de aqu ı en adelante) para nidos del cr ıticamente amenazado Ammodramus savannarum floridianus en un sitio de pradera seca (Three Lakes; 2019-2018) y un sitio de potrero (the Ranch; 2015-2016) en el condado de Osceola, Florida, USA. Instalamos cercas en los nidos en promedio ocho d ıas despu es del inicio de la incubaci on y el abandono del nido despu es de la instalaci on del acerca fue raro (2 de 149 instalaciones). Depredaci on fue la causa principal de fracaso de los nidos sin cercas en los dos sitios (60.4% vs. 27.7%). Sin embargo, no encontramos diferencias en la supervivencia diaria de los nidos en "the Ranch" entre los años anteriores a la instalaci on de las cercas (2016; 0.874) y el año en el que todos los nidos excepto...

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Corn Snakes

Kubiak¹

2020

Handbook of Exotic Pet Medicine

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Eliciting a predatory response in the eastern corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) using live and inanimate sensory stimuli: implications for managing invasive populations

Cited by 7 publications

References 55 publications

Mammalian lures monitored with time-lapse cameras increase detection of pythons and other snakes

Mammalian lures monitored with time-lapse cameras increase detection of pythons and other snakes

Exclosure fences around nests of imperiled Florida Grasshopper Sparrows reduce rates of predation by mammals

Corn Snakes

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