Abstract
Abstract: We conducted a radio-tracking study on Rhabdophis tigrinus to assess its spatial ecology in the Ashiu Forest Research Station, Kyoto, Japan from 2009 to 2010. The study site is located in a temperate mountain area and includes forests, grasslands, a river, open riverbanks, and small brooks. We estimated the width and area of home ranges for 11 and 10 individuals, respectively. Home range size showed a large individual variation, with home range width ranging from 97 to 997 m and area ranging from 1.3 to 11.0 ha. We did not find obvious sexual differences or effects of body size on home range size. Tracked snakes tended to aggregate in riverside areas in spring, although females were sometimes found away from the river. Compared to spring, snakes in summer and fall were relatively dispersed and more likely to be located in brookside areas or places apart from water bodies. Eight individuals moved from riverside areas to brookside areas in summer. We located hibernation sites of nine individuals. ...
Published Version
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