The Effect of Mast Availability on Crotalus adamanteus (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake) Ambush-site Selection

Abstract

Abstract Seasonal shifts in vegetation-masting events may alter resource availability and influence habitat selection. Crotalus adamanteus (Eastern Damondback Rattlesnake; hereafter, EDB) is an imperiled, ambush predator endemic to southeastern pine savannas and woodlands of the US. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes prey on small mammals that feed on hard and soft mast (e.g., nuts and fruits). In this study, we hypothesized that intra-seasonal shifts in masting vegetation would cause intra-season shifts in ambush-site selection in EDBs as the result of a bottom-up trophic effect. We quantified EDB ambush-site selection using radio-telemetry data and vegetation analysis within a naturalized study site. When we encountered EDBs in ambush posture, we quantified vegetation structure at the selected location and at 2 random locations. We measured understory and overstory structure and masting characteristics within each vegetation plot. Over the June–August study period, we quantified vegetation structure at 35...