The use of fluorescent powdered pigments as a tracking technique for snakes
Furman, Benjamin L.S., Scheffers, Brett R., and Paszkowski, Cynthia A. (2011) The use of fluorescent powdered pigments as a tracking technique for snakes. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 6 (3). pp. 473-478.
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Abstract
We describe a new technique for tracking snakes that is an alternative to radio-transmitters and thread trails. We coated the bodies of three species of garter snakes (Thamnophis) in fluorescent powder, then followed and marked the trails with a UV light at night. The use of a UV light allowed us to see very detailed paths left by the snakes. This technique was effective for snakes > 10 g and we tracked some individuals > 200 m. Because a portion of the paths ended in burrows, this technique may prove useful for locating hibernacula sites. Fluorescent powder tracking is a useful tool in determining where and how snakes move in a localized habitat.
| Item ID: | 35747 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1931-7603 |
| Keywords: | fluorescent powder, radio-telemetry, snake, technique, Thamnophis, thread trailing, tracking |
| Funders: | Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Alberta Sports, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Canadian Circumpolar Institute, City of Edmonton, Friends of Elk Island National Park, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) |
| Date Deposited: | 15 Oct 2014 16:47 |
| FoR Codes: | 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060208 Terrestrial Ecology @ 50% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0699 Other Biological Sciences > 069999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 50% |
| SEO Codes: | 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960899 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity of Environments not elsewhere classified @ 100% |
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