Microhabitat use by species of the genera Bothrops and Crotalus (Viperidae) in semi-extensive captivity

Gomes CA (1, 2), Almeida-Santos SM (1, 2)

(1) Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, São Paulo State, Brazil; (2) Graduate Program in Animal Biology, Institute of Biosciences, Language Studies and Exact Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista), São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil.

Abstract: Many factors influence microhabitat including climate and the occurrence of predators, prey and suitable shelters. The influence of predators in a semi-extensive breeding system is minimized due to frequent monitoring of the area. This situation enables the independent analysis of such other variables as refuges and temperature. Some specimens of the Viperidae family are kept in a semi-extensive breeding system at the Butantan Institute for display and study. These animals are widely distributed in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, two biomes with distinct climatic characteristics. We compared the daily activity pattern and microhabitat use of the species Bothrops jararaca and Crotalus durissus terrificus. Our main questions were whether rattlesnakes and lancehead snakes respond to habitat selection differently in similar climatic conditions and if they choose similar microhabitats. Species of the genus Bothrops were frequently found under shelters regardless of the time of day. On the other hand, snakes of the genus Crotalus were frequently found sheltered during the early morning, then migrated to sunnier areas and returned to shelters in late afternoon.

Key words: microhabitat selection, snakes, thermoregulation, Viperidae.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the Laboratory of Ecology and Evolution staff team for data sampling and snakes maintenance on serpentarium, Verônica A. Barros for English review and Ana B. Barros for the serpentarium drawing.

COPYRIGHT

© CEVAP 2012

SUBMISSION STATUS

Received: June 14, 2012.

Accepted: September 11, 2012.

Abstract published online: September 14, 2012.

Full paper published online: November 30, 2012.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

FINANCIAL SOURCE

The São Paulo State Health Secretariat and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) provided the financial grants.

ETHICS COMMITTEE APPROVAL

The Butantan Institute was granted the license number 480548 by The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) to raise snakes in captivity in order to use them in scientific research and display them to the public.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Cristian Alexandro Gomes, Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto Butantan, Avenida Doutor Vital Brazil, 1500, São Paulo, SP, 05503- 900, Brasil. Phone: +55 11 3726 7222, ext. 2014. Email: biocristian@gmail.com.