Effectiveness of long‐distance translocation of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes

Abstract

AbstractWildlife translocations have the potential to assist conservation efforts by mitigating mortality caused by site‐specific human activities. Despite the potential, the effectiveness of snake translocations for conservation purposes is not yet clear. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus, EDB) have limited ability to adapt to habitat loss and fragmentation due to the species' slow life history, high habitat specificity, and minimal dispersal ability. We translocated a cohort of EDBs to investigate the potential of using translocations as a conservation tool for this species. In July 2018, we translocated 12 adult eastern diamondback rattlesnakes from Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot to an inland wildlife management area. We used radio‐telemetry data to examine the effects of translocation on home‐range size and average daily movement. We used known‐fate survival models to examine adult survival post‐translocation. Post‐translocation home ranges were larger than the pre‐translocation home ranges and EDBs moved more, on average, per day post‐translocation. We failed to detect an effect of translocation on 2‐year survival probability. We suspect that large post‐translocation home ranges and average daily movements reflected the need to find suitable ambush and hibernacula sites and differences between coastal and inland habitats. More research is needed to determine the long‐term viability of translocated rattlesnake populations. Our results suggest that translocations may be a viable conservation and mitigation strategy for eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.