Movement and Life History Aspects of the Pygmy Rattlesnake in Southwest Missouri
Date of Graduation
Spring 1988
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Don Moll
Abstract
Individual pygmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius) (N=7) were monitored with radiotelemetry in Christian and Taney Counties of southwest Missouri. Snakes were tracked for periods of 11-73 days and a total of 264 tracking days. Males exhibited significantly greater (P ﹥ 0.05) movement than females and non-gravid individuals displayed significantly more (P ﹥ 0.05) movement than gravid individuals. Except for tail length, S. miliarius exhibits little sexual dimorphism. Pygmy rattlesnakes feed mainly on small squamates but also prey on small mammals. Pygmy rattlesnakes are viviparous and also prey on small mammals. Pygmy rattlesnakes are viviparous and appear to be on a biennial reproductive cycle. Adult snakes are easily maintained in captivity and adult males exhibited higher average food conversion efficiency growth rates than adult females.
Subject Categories
Biology
Copyright
© Thomas L Holder
Recommended Citation
Holder, Thomas L., "Movement and Life History Aspects of the Pygmy Rattlesnake in Southwest Missouri" (1988). MSU Graduate Theses. 128.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/128
Dissertation/Thesis
